The driver of one of the trucks that collided on the Eko Bridge on Sunday, killing two people, is being sought by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority.
The Intercept learnt in a statement by the LASTMA spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, that the accident occurred when one of the truck drivers apparently fell asleep and slammed into another vehicle.
Two dispatch riders were crushed when a 20-foot container toppled due to the impact of the incident, according to Taofiq.
He said, “In a devastating vehicle collision that occurred earlier today on the Eko Bridge inward Alaka corridor, two dispatch riders tragically lost their lives following a crash involving two fully loaded Mack trucks, identified by registration numbers T-10357 LA and KJA 107 XM.
“Preliminary findings suggest that the driver of one of the articulated trucks, reportedly driving at an excessive speed while allegedly dozing off, lost control of the vehicle. The truck then careened into another moving truck ahead of it, triggering a violent impact.
“This catastrophic collision led to the dislodgement of a 20-foot container from one of the trucks, which subsequently crushed two unsuspecting dispatch riders who were navigating the route at the time. Both victims were confirmed dead at the scene.”
An ambulance from the Lagos State Government rescued a seriously injured truck driver and transported him to a nearby hospital.
Taofiq claims that the other two truck drivers left the scene, perhaps because they were afraid of the seriousness of the collision.
“Investigations are currently underway to trace and apprehend the fleeing drivers involved in the fatal crash,” Taofiq added.
“To forestall further incidents and safeguard other road users, LASTMA personnel immediately cordoned off the affected stretch of the bridge and redirected vehicular traffic through the Coastain Roundabout inward Alaka en route to Stadium,” he continued.
One of the drivers fled the scene, according to Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency.
However, he pointed out that a dispatch rider and one of the truck’s helpers were among the dead.
“Preliminary investigations conducted by the Cobra Response Team revealed that multiple accidents occurred when the white MACK truck suffered a mechanical error (brake failure) while in motion, which subsequently led to loss of control and fatal double cross of the blue MACK truck.
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“Unfortunately, an adult male, a truck assistant of the white MACK truck, lost his life in the incident. Another adult male, a dispatch rider who was pinned to the bridge side by the fallen container, was, unfortunately, crushed to death by the weight of the white MACK truck.
“An adult male driver of the white truck escaped the incident unscathed, but had absconded from the scene in fear for his life,” he stated.
