By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
Four persons have died when a speeding Toyota Sienna car conveying them rammed into a Dangote truck from the rear, crushing itself and the occupants under the weight of the truck – laden with bags of cement.
The accident which occurred some minutes after 11:pm on Thursday between Adaranijo filling station and Adedero Health Centre corridor of the Abeokuta – Kobape – Siun expressway in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, involved a the blue color Sienna with registration number AAA307GN and a Sino Truck marked WDL418XA.
Operatives of the State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) were sighted evacuating victims from the wrecked Toyota Sienna car, clearing road obstructing and re-directing traffic.
TRACE Spokesperson, Babatunde Akinbiyi, who confirmed the accident, attributed the cause to “overspeeding on the part of the driver of the Toyota Sienna car which made him hit the truck from the rear while on motion.”
Akinbiyi disclosed that there were 7 occupants – all males, three in Dangote truck and four in the Toyota car at the time of the unfortunate incident.
According to him, the remains of the dead were deposited at the State Hospital Morgue, Ijaiye, Abeokuta.
He explained that one of the injured victims was also taken to the State Hospital for treatmentl and later referred to Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta for proper care but was later confirmed dead at the FMC.
“We learnt the SIENNA, coming inbound Abeokuta, was driving behind the Dangote truck, when it ran into it from behind due to excessive speed and the inability of the driver to ascertain the fact that a vehicle was in its front probably caused by the smoke being emitted from the truck, which also had no rear light.
“All the 4 occupants in the seinna vehicle lost there lives. The remaining 3 victims were however in the Dangote truck.
“While TRACE commiserates with the families of the dead victims, drivers of articulated vehicles are again charged to make safety their watch word by servicing there vehicles, as at when due, and also ensure their lightening is working well.
“Moreover, drivers generally are urged to avoid overspeeding and desist from night travel, in view of its attendant consequences,” Akinbiyi said.
