Motorist Killed, Wife Critically Injured as Granite Truck Crushes Toyota at Eleko Junction on Lekki–Ajah Expressway
A tragic accident has claimed the life of a motorist while leaving his wife critically injured after a granite-laden articulated truck toppled onto their Toyota saloon car at Eleko Junction along the Lekki–Ajah Expressway in Lagos.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed that the fatal crash occurred in the early hours of the day when the truck, reportedly travelling at high speed from the Epe axis, suffered a brake failure as it approached Eleko Junction.
According to preliminary findings, the mechanical malfunction caused the driver of the articulated vehicle to lose control, veering off course and crashing into a Toyota saloon car heading inward Epe from Ajah. The impact forced the heavily loaded truck to overturn, crushing the smaller vehicle beneath its weight.
The male driver of the Toyota became trapped in the wreckage and was later pronounced dead at the scene after being extricated through a joint rescue effort by LASTMA officials, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and bystanders.
His wife, who was seated in the front passenger seat, sustained life-threatening injuries and was immediately rushed for urgent medical treatment. FRSC officials evacuated both victims for necessary medical and mortuary procedures.
In what authorities described as a condemnable act, the driver of the truck reportedly fled the scene, evading arrest and accountability.
Operatives of the Akodo Police Division provided security at the accident scene, ensuring order during the rescue and recovery operations.
Reacting to the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed deep condolences to the bereaved family, describing the crash as a painful and preventable tragedy. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured victim and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to enforcing traffic laws, particularly against reckless driving and mechanical negligence.
Fuel Tanker Fire Contained on Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway
In a separate development, LASTMA disclosed that a 33,000-litre fuel tanker caught fire around midnight at Ile-Zik inward Magboro along the Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway.
The LASTMA Rescue Team, working in collaboration with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, swiftly responded to the emergency and successfully extinguished the blaze before it could escalate into a major disaster.
To facilitate emergency operations, traffic was temporarily diverted into the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor to allow firefighters unhindered access to the scene. Normal traffic flow was later restored after the situation was brought under control.
Authorities have reiterated calls for strict adherence to safety protocols by truck and tanker operators to prevent avoidable road tragedies across Lagos highways.
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