A deadly accident on a major Lagos expressway has left residents devastated after a father, mother, and their young child were killed instantly when an overspeeding truck rammed into their vehicle and sped away.
The heartbreaking incident, which occurred during a routine commute, has renewed concerns over the rising number of road fatalities involving heavy-duty vehicles in Lagos.
Eyewitnesses reported that the family’s car was struck with such force that it somersaulted several times before landing in a crushed state. Emergency responders who arrived minutes later confirmed that the family had died on the spot. The truck driver fled immediately, abandoning the victims and leaving shocked bystanders scrambling to alert authorities.
Officials from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) say preliminary investigations suggest reckless speeding and brake failure as possible causes. Road safety analysts add that Lagos has seen a spike in truck-related crashes due to poor vehicle maintenance, driver fatigue, and weak enforcement of speed limits. Many motorists have repeatedly called for the restriction of heavy-duty trucks to night hours only, citing the danger they pose during peak traffic periods.
Within the community, neighbours and relatives of the deceased family are struggling to come to terms with the loss. Friends described them as peaceful, hardworking people whose sudden death has created a painful void. Advocacy groups are now demanding that the state government install speed cameras, tighten licensing requirements for truck drivers, and launch targeted road safety campaigns.
The police have opened a manhunt for the fleeing driver and are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby roads to aid the investigation. As the family is laid to rest, Lagosians say the tragedy is yet another reminder of the urgent need for stronger traffic enforcement and accountability on the state’s roadways
