Passenger D!es After Jump!ng From Bus Driven By Drunk Driver
Passenger Dies After Jumping From Bus Driven By Drunk Driver
A passenger has died after jumping from a commercial Volkswagen bus whose driver allegedly drove under the influence of alcohol before crashing into a median pole at Ojuelegba, Surulere, Lagos.
The incident occurred at Ogunlana Junction, inward Ojuelegba by Fallout area, when the bus, with registration number LND 130 XR, reportedly careered violently into a median pole.
In a press statement issued on Sunday by the spokesperson of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq, preliminary security reports indicated that the driver was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and had been driving recklessly shortly before the crash.
Other motorists approaching from behind reportedly exercised caution in trying to avoid colliding with the erratically driven vehicle.
“Preliminary security reports indicated that the driver of the ill-fated commercial bus was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and had reportedly been operating the vehicle in a reckless and hazardous manner shortly before the crash.
“Motorists approaching from the rear were said to have exercised considerable caution in their attempts to avoid a collision with the erratically driven vehicle,” the statement said.
Amid the incident, a male passenger reportedly jumped out of the moving bus while attempting to escape and sustained severe injuries after hitting the ground. He later died from the injuries.
LASTMA personnel conducting routine traffic surveillance along the Ojuelegba axis quickly mobilised to the scene after sighting the crash.
The officers secured the accident scene, managed traffic and removed the deceased passenger and severely damaged vehicle from the carriageway, preventing a possible secondary collision.
Security personnel from the Area C Police Division, Ojuelegba, provided security cover, while officials of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEHMU) evacuated the remains of the deceased.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, urged commercial and private motorists to conduct comprehensive mechanical checks on their vehicles before every journey, particularly the braking system, tyres, steering mechanism and other critical safety components.
Bakare-Oki described the incident as another reminder of the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving and operating mechanically defective vehicles.
He commiserated with the family of the deceased and reaffirmed LASTMA’s commitment to prompt incident response, effective traffic management and accident-scene clearance.
He also urged motorists to report accidents, vehicle breakdowns, traffic incidents and other obstructions to LASTMA through its toll-free short code 3367.
