The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, has confirmed the arrest of a truck driver whose vehicle crushed his assistant to death at the Ogolonto Traffic Light Intersection, inward Ikorodu Roundabout.

The tragic accident occurred late Wednesday night when the truck’s brake reportedly failed.

According to preliminary investigations, the assistant had stepped out of the moving truck to place a wooden plank under the tyres in an attempt to prevent it from rolling backward. Unfortunately, he slipped, fell, and was crushed under the rear wheels, dying instantly.

LASTMA’s Special Night Gang Patrol Team, which was on routine monitoring within the Ikorodu corridor, witnessed the incident and swiftly intervened to prevent further chaos.

Operatives from the Ipakodo Police Division were immediately alerted and arrived at the scene to take charge of the investigation.

The truck driver was subsequently handed over to the police for further interrogation, while the deceased’s remains were conveyed to the General Hospital, Ikorodu.

In a statement released by the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Mr Adebayo Taofiq, the agency confirmed that its personnel also cleared the accidented truck from the expressway to ensure free vehicular movement and prevent additional mishaps.

Reacting to the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed deep sadness over the loss of life and extended condolences to the victim’s family.

He described the tragedy as completely avoidable, urging truck drivers and commercial transport operators to prioritise routine mechanical inspections, especially on braking systems, before embarking on trips.

Bakare-Oki emphasised that negligence in vehicle maintenance poses a serious danger not only to operators but also to other unsuspecting road users.

He reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s determination to enhance safety and discipline on the roads through consistent enforcement, driver sensitisation, and collaboration with security agencies to prevent similar tragedies.

Truck driver arrested as assistant crushed to death in Ikorodu brake failure accident