Three Killed As Car Runs Into Pedestrians On Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway

Three people lost their lives while two others were injured on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway in Lagos on Thursday after a driver,  Oladimeji Olaniyi, lost control of his car, which rammed into the victims.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the incident occurred around Aluminium Village, inward Iyana-Ipaja, along the expressway.

An eyewitness alleged the driver of the vehicle, a red Peugeot 406 car with registration number, BM214EKY, was drunk and was on high speed when the accident occurred.

The driver reportedly hit and killed three people on the spot while two bystanders at a bus stop sustained injuries.

According to eyewitnesses, the driver suddenly lost control of the wheels and the car rammed into the victims who were on their way from the nearby timber market where they had gone to buy plywood.

Our correspondent also learnt that the vehicle plunged into a gutter after it had crushed the victims.

It was gathered that the driver of the vehicle was almost lynched by a mob but for the timely intervention of policemen attached to the Dopemu division.

He was   immediately  arrested and detained at the station. 

The sector Commander, Lagos Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Charles Akpabio, who confirmed the incident, said those injured had been taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.

He said the accident was caused by a burst tyre as well as high speed.

Akpabio said, “There was an accident involving a Peugeot 306 car with registration number DM 214 EKY around 1:25pm. Three people were killed while two others sustained injuries. The accident took place under Dopemu Bridge, around Ikeja/Iyana-Ipaja Road.

“The accident was caused by a burst tyre and high speed. The victims have been taken to LASUTH.”

The Deputy Police Public Relations Officer for the state command, Mr. Ozoanni Damasus, said it could not be immediately confirmed if the driver was drunk or not.

He however confirmed that the driver was in detention at Dopemu Division.

He said, “The driver, identified as Oladimeji Olaniyi, was coming from Oshodi, heading towards Iyana-Ipaja when he had the accident. He said his vehicle had a brake failure and skidded off the road, killing three pedestrians before plunging into a canal.

“One of the deceased has been identified simply as Tope and the police have transferred all the corpses to Isolo General Hospital Mortuary.

“It cannot be verified if the driver was drunk or not but he is in detention and investigations are ongoing.”