A yet-to-be-identified driver has died after his vehicle somersaulted due to excessive speeding along the Iponri Bridge in the Lagos Island area of the state. Authorities confirmed that the man was reportedly driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.
The tragic incident occurred at about 11:45 p.m. on Saturday, according to a Sunday statement by the spokesperson for the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq.
Taofiq said members of the LASTMA 24-hour patrol team rushed to the scene immediately after receiving reports of the crash and found the lifeless body of the lone driver inside the wrecked vehicle.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the Navy Blue Toyota Camry, with registration number EKY 311 GK, was travelling at an excessively high velocity inward Iponri when the driver lost control of the vehicle near the Alaka Under Bridge in Surulere,” Taofiq stated.
He added that the car somersaulted multiple times before coming to a halt, killing the driver on the spot.
“Eyewitnesses and forensic evidence gathered at the site corroborated reports that the deceased was intoxicated. His impaired judgment and delayed reaction time due to alcohol consumption led to the catastrophic loss of control,” Taofiq explained.
Members of the LASTMA night duty patrol team were said to have cordoned off the area immediately to prevent further accidents and alerted officers from the Bode Thomas Police Division.
The police later carried out proper documentation and released the body to the deceased’s family.
Reacting to the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the family of the deceased while stressing the dangers of drunk driving.
Bakare-Oki emphasized that alcohol-related accidents remain a major cause of fatalities on Lagos roads. He urged motorists to avoid driving under the influence and adhere strictly to traffic regulations.
He further stated that LASTMA would continue to maintain a strong night patrol presence across the state to ensure safer roads and respond swiftly to emergencies.
The agency also advised drivers to maintain moderate speeds, ensure their vehicles are roadworthy, and report any suspicious or reckless driving to the appropriate authorities.
The tragic accident serves as another grim reminder of the deadly consequences of drunk driving and excessive speeding, both of which continue to claim lives on Nigeria’s highways.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
