TRAGEDY struck yesterday at Sepo end of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in an auto crash involving a Peugeot J5 van and an articulated lorry.

About 17 persons were confirmed dead while 70 others sustained various degrees of injury and are currently receiving treatment at a private hospital in the state capital.

While confirming the incident, Oyo State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Yusuf Salami, said the accident was due to over-speeding and impatience on the part of both drivers.

The FRSC boss disclosed that the two Lagos-bound vehicles were both struggling for right of way when they lost control.

Salami stated that the auto crash, which occurred close to Dominion University, Sepo involved a Peugeot J5 with number plate XS 626 LSV and a DAF articulated vehicle with number plate AA 902 MML.

“There were 96 people involved with 17 confirmed dead. It is obvious that both drivers were over-speeding and suddenly lost control of the vehicles.