A routine Tuesday commute turned deadly on Egbe Bridge, inward Ikotun, when a Toyota Venza collided head-on with a commercial tricycle, killing its driver and leaving two passengers with serious injuries.
Witnesses say the accident happened in a split second. The Venza, registration GWA 659 RD, was overtaking another vehicle atop the bridge when it veered into the path of the tricycle, EPE 245 QM, coming from the opposite direction. The impact crushed the smaller vehicle, instantly claiming the life of its operator.
The two passengers — a man and a woman — were pulled from the wreckage by officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) before being rushed by police from Ikotun Division to the General Hospital, Isolo. Both reportedly sustained multiple fractures.
The driver of the Venza fled the scene before authorities arrived. Police have launched a manhunt, vowing to bring him to justice for reckless driving and abandoning the victims.
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LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed sorrow over the tragedy, describing it as “a grim testament to the lethal consequences of impatience and the blatant flouting of traffic laws.”
“All road users must cultivate discipline, foresight, and an uncompromising adherence to safety protocols to avert needless tragedies,” he urged.
As traffic resumed over the bridge hours later, the mangled remains of the tricycle stood as a silent warning — a reminder that one reckless moment can change lives forever.