A pedestrian is in critical condition after being struck by an unidentified motorist in a hit-and-run crash at Ojota, Lagos.
The incident occurred over the weekend on the main carriageway around Ketu inward Ojota, where the motorist allegedly hit the victim and fled the scene, leaving him severely injured.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the spokesperson of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq, officers of the agency who arrived at the scene immediately secured the area, regulated traffic and took steps to prevent further danger to the victim and other road users.
The victim was found lying in a pool of blood with multiple traumatic injuries, including severe fractures and serious head trauma.
Although he was still alive and breathing when LASTMA officers arrived, his condition was described as critical and requiring urgent specialised medical attention.
The officers alerted the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), whose medical personnel arrived at the scene to assess the victim.
Following their assessment, the medical personnel concern over the severity and complexity of the injuries, noting that the victim required treatment at a facility equipped for comprehensive trauma management.
LASTMA officers remained at the scene to safeguard the victim while further emergency-response options were explored.
The agency’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, condemned the alleged abandonment of the victim by the fleeing motorist, describing the act as reprehensible and irresponsible.
Bakare-Oki said motorists involved in road crashes have a moral and legal obligation to stop, assess the situation, alert emergency responders and, where practicable, provide reasonable assistance to injured persons.
“The decision by a motorist to flee the scene of a crash, particularly where another person has sustained life-threatening injuries, is deeply reprehensible and could have devastating consequences. In emergencies of this nature, every second is consequential.
“While our officers remain committed to responding swiftly to road crashes and other emergencies, members of the public must also demonstrate a corresponding sense of responsibility by promptly alerting the appropriate emergency agencies and cooperating with responders,” he said.
The LASTMA boss commended the officers who responded to the incident for their courage, professionalism and commitment to protecting lives.
He also appealed to eyewitnesses, motorists and members of the public with credible information that could help identify and apprehend the fleeing driver to make such information available to law-enforcement authorities.
THE WHISTLER reports that in May, driver of a heavily-loaded bucket truck was apprehended following a fatal accident that claimed the lives of a pedestrian and a motorcyclist along the Badagry Expressway in Lagos.
The tragic incident occurred at the Iyana-Iba Flyover inward the main gate of Lagos State University on the main carriageway of the expressway.
According to preliminary investigations, the truck driver was speeding from Volkswagen inward Badagry when he knocked down a pedestrian. Witnesses said the driver failed to stop after the initial impact and continued driving along the corridor.
In an attempt to stop the fleeing truck driver, a motorcyclist, accompanied by another sympathiser, chased after the vehicle. However, the truck later rammed into the motorcycle during the pursuit, killing the rider instantly while the second occupant escaped unhurt.
(The Whistler)
