Driver who killed pregnant woman in Lagos was trying to avoid punishment for driving against traffic

The driver of a vehicle that crushed a pregnant woman and three others at Ago Palace Way, Isolo on Tuesday was apprehended for driving against the traffic.

Recall that a pregnant woman, her two kids and a commercial tricycle operator were brought out lifeless from the crushed vehicle.

The two children were reportedly resuscitated at the hospital and currently in critical condition in the Intesive Care Unit of the hospital.

Eyewitnesses said LASTMA officials, aided by a policeman, chased the motorist.

An eyewitness, who gave his name simply as Usman, said, “The LASTMA officials chased the driver. One of the law enforcement officers was dragging the steering wheel with the driver and in the course of that, the driver lost control and rammed into some passengers. About four people died.”

Information from LASTMA’s spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, indicates that the driver of the blue Toyota Sienna bus (AKD 944 HN) was apprehended for driving against traffic.

He said, “On their way, and in an attempt by the driver to escape, he diverted into Bayo Oyewale Street by Ago Roundabout and rammed into a fully loaded tricycle.

“While the tricycle operator died instantly, a pregnant woman later died at the hospital while two injured school children are currently in the Intensive Care Unit receiving medical attention.

“It is noteworthy to mention that in an attempt to escape, the driver of the Sienna car lost control as a result of reckless driving which eventually resulted in the fatal accident.”

The Lagos Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Babatunde Farinloye, also confirmed to our correspondent that four victims were involved in the accident but officers of the FRSC fled the scene and the facility of the LCDA following the mob action.

Some youths protesting the death of the passengers reportedly visited Isolo LCDA and damaged the properties met there.

Pictures and videos from the council office showed damaged vehicles on the office premises while office rooms and windows among others were also vandalised.

An official who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “They were going to burn the offices. They attacked the office because LASTMA, FRSC, and VIO officials all make use of the building. I have lost many documents and valuables.”

Reacting, the council’s Chief Press Secretary, Rasheed Iskilu, said the incident involved a private car “that was purportedly being trailed by law enforcement agents which led to the crushing to death of the occupants of a tricycle on Bayo Oyewole Street, Okota.”

He said the incident left the council “badly worried,” adding, “We wish to assure the public that investigations have commenced to determine the immediate and remote causes of the regrettable occurrence.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed to Punch  that two persons died and two others were hospitalised after sustaining injuries.

The PPRO said, “I can confirm that two people died while two other people are in the hospital. It was a LASTMA operation and customarily, policemen are attached to LASTMA officials for their safety, so a policeman was with them. If it was a police operation, you would see our van there. We have deployed patrol teams to the area and normalcy has been restored.”