LASTMA warns against highway crossing as hit-and-run driver kills one

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has warned pedestrians against crossing the highway following a hit-and-run accident that claimed the life of one person in the Onipanu area of the state late Saturday.

LASTMA Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, made the charge in a telephone conversation with According to Metro on Sunday.

According to Online reported on Sunday that the accident, according to the Head of the Public Affairs Unit of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Nosa Okunbor, occurred around 9 pm.

Okunbor noted that an eyewitness had narrated that the driver of the vehicle after ramming into the victim, absconded the scene.

He added that upon receiving the report, the LASEMA team swung into action to save the life of the victim who had sustained a head injury.

He however noted that despite the efforts of officials of the Pre-Hospital Care Unit, the victim died as a result of the severe injury sustained.

Okunbor narrated, “Upon arrival of the agency’s Response Team at the incident scene, it was observed that an adult male was hit by a vehicle, registration number unknown, and that the driver of the vehicle absconded with the vehicle immediately after the incident.

 “The victim, a yet-to-be-identified adult male, sustained head injuries and was given urgent medical attention by the Agency’s Paramedics from the Pre-Hospital Care Unit before being swiftly transported to the Trauma Centre, Gbagada, for further treatment.

“The yet-to-be-identified adult male victim of the hit-and-run incident died while receiving urgent medical treatment at the Trauma Centre in Gbagada.”

The LASEMA spokesperson noted that the body of the deceased was handed over to officials of the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit for further action.

“The commodity was bagged and handed over to the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit office at the Bolade Bus Stop.

Reacting, Taofiq also urged motorists to observe speed limits provided by the state government to prevent recurring road crashes.

He said, “We seize this opportunity to appeal to the motoring public to strictly adhere to speed limit signs installed by the Lagos State Government. Additionally, we urge pedestrians to utilise pedestrian bridges provided by the government at all times.

“The safety of every citizen is the top priority of the government, and the Governor is investing significant resources to ensure overall safety.

“To promote road safety, the government is conducting public education and enlightenment campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of crossing highways.”

The LASTMA spokesperson condoles with the victim’s family and urged pedestrians to be safety conscious when plying the highway.

According to Metro recalled that on August 19, men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority apprehended a trailer driver involved in a hit-and-run incident in the Anthony Oke area of the state heading towards Oshodi.

Taofiq had disclosed that the driver, operating a trailer owned by Honeywell Flour Mill Plc (registration number JJJ 764 XV), was apprehended after hitting a pedestrian who was attempting to cross the expressway.

The pedestrian was said to have sustained injury, including a broken left leg, and was promptly attended to by personnel from the Lagos State Ambulance Service who transported him to a nearby hospital for urgent medical treatment.