Vehicle Chased By LASTMA Kills Pregnant Woman, 2 Children, Tricyclist

Tragedy struck, yesterday, in the Ago, Okota area of Isolo Local Government Area, LGA, of Lagos State after a vehicle killed a pregnant woman, two children and a tricyclist.

However, the Police said only the pregnant woman and the tricyclist lost their lives.

Eyewitnesses alleged that one of the LASTMA officials at Okota roundabout flagged down the driver of a Toyota Sienna MPV (multipurpose vehicle), in an attempt to arrest him for violating traffic rules.

The official and a policeman attached to LASTMA were said to have entered the vehicle, with one of them attempting to take over the steering.

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A struggle ensued between the driver and the LASTMA official, while the vehicle was still in motion, as the former refused to allow the LASTMA to take over the steering.

In the process, the driver lost control and collided with the tricycle on Bayo Oyewale Street.

The tricyclist, who had his skull broken, died on the spot with the pregnant woman, while the children she was taking to school became unconscious.

When contacted, spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hudenyin, said only the pregnant woman and tricycle operator lost their lives in the incident.

On its part, LASTMA, in a statement by its Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, exonerated its official from culpability.

Rather, it explained that “Traffic Officer, Hassan Kehinde of Zone 27 Okota, who led the LASTMA patrol team disclosed that a driver of a blue Toyota Sienna bus with plate number AKD 944 HN, was apprehended for driving against traffic around Ago Palace.

An eyewitness said, “Upon my arrival, I was shocked to see his lifeless body on the ground. I inquired about what had happened, they told me that the Sienna driver had entered the estate, and it was during the altercation with LASTMA that the Sienna collided with the tricycle.

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Tragically, while the two children lost their lives instantly, the condition of the pregnant woman was critical. They rushed her to the hospital, but before reaching there, I received the news that she had also passed away. I’m not certain about the condition of the Sienna driver. Some said he died too while others said he is in a critical condition in the hospital he was rushed to.

The tragedy was sparked by the action of the LASTMA officials. It is baffling why they would chase someone, even when the person entered an estate. They dragged the man, wrestled with the steering right on the street”