A loaded unregistered Howo truck on full speed on Tuesday veered off the road and killed a pedestrian at Iyana Ishasi U-turn, inward Mile 2, in Lagos State.

The Lagos State Transport Management Authority Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, in a statement, said the victim was crushed to death after the over-speeding vehicle experienced a brake failure.

Mr Taofiq said the agency, “Profoundly regrets to announce a devastating road accident that occurred earlier today at the Iyana Ishasi U-turn inward Mile 2, involving a fully loaded Howo tipper devoid of registration details. Preliminary findings indicate that the Howo truck, in an ill-fated attempt to navigate through traffic at an excessive speed, suffered a catastrophic brake failure, resulting in a complete loss of vehicular control. The out-of-control vehicle tragically veered off its path and struck an innocent pedestrian walking along the roadside, causing instantaneous fatality.”

It stated that LASTMA operatives, in collaboration with officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps ensured effective management of the incident while the Ishasi Division of the Nigeria Police Force, dispatched security reinforcement for rescue operation.

LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, while expressing sadness over the incident, sent his condolences to the bereaved family, praying for divine fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.

Harping on the importance of motorists upholding safety-consciousness, Mr Bakare-Oki stressed the need for meticulous vehicle maintenance and strict adherence to traffic regulations to avert such avoidable tragedies.