A commercial tricycle rider was killed in a collision with a Sports Utility Vehicle reportedly driving against traffic at Origan, Oko-Afo, along the Badagry Expressway in Lagos State.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority confirmed the accident occurred over the weekend.

LASTMA spokesperson Adebayo Taofiq stated that the SUV driver, operating a Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC with the customized plate “OSUNFNKE,” was attempting to bypass congestion by driving in the opposite direction of traffic when he struck the oncoming tricycle, which bore the registration number MUS 716 QM.

The impact resulted in fatal injuries to the tricycle rider, including a critical knee dislocation. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The tricycle operator sustained multiple traumatic injuries, including a critical knee dislocation, and was confirmed dead at the scene,” Taofiq said.

The SUV driver fled immediately after the crash, leaving behind his vehicle and the deceased tricycle rider.

LASTMA personnel arrived promptly, securing the scene and escalating the case to officers from the Morogbo Division of the Nigeria Police Force. Officials from the Federal Road Safety Corps assisted in transporting the victim’s remains to the mortuary at the General Hospital in Badagry.

LASTMA operatives removed the damaged vehicles from the road to restore normal traffic flow and handed them over to the police for further investigation.

Reacting to the incident, LASTMA General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki described the driver’s actions as a severe violation of public safety and road regulations.

“This lamentable loss of life is an unfortunate testament to the deadly ramifications of impunity on our roads,” Bakare-Oki said.

The case remains under police investigation, with authorities expected to trace the fleeing SUV driver for possible prosecution.