Two Feared Dead as Highlander Crashes Into Motorcycle, Bursts Into Flames on Lagos-Badagry Expressway

By Adebola Muili

Two people were feared dead on Sunday night after a Toyota Highlander allegedly driving against traffic crashed into a motorcycle at Araromi Ale Bridge on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway and burst into flames.

The victims, identified as the motorcycle rider and a female passenger, were yet to be confirmed dead at the time of reporting, while the driver of the Highlander reportedly fled the scene after the collision.

The fatal crash has drawn attention to growing concerns over road safety along the expressway, with a Badagry-based lawyer, Emmanuel Bankole, raising the alarm over nearly 10 fatal pedestrian accident cases recorded along the route in the last two months.

Bankole, a constitutional lawyer and executive member of the Badagry Local Council Development Area, said he was personally handling three related cases in court and at Morogbo Police Station.

He raised the concern in a comment on an accident report published by Badagry Today following the Sunday night incident at Araromi Ale Bridge.

The lawyer identified driving against traffic, speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence of alcohol and pedestrian carelessness as some of the factors contributing to road accidents along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

He also identified poor headlights on some commercial vehicles and inadequate visibility at night as additional risks, urging motorists to exercise greater caution while using the road.

Bankole warned that fatal road accidents could have serious physical, emotional, financial and legal consequences for those involved, stressing that motorists must not flee the scene after a collision.

He also urged pedestrians to remain alert when crossing the expressway, avoid walking on the road while intoxicated and refrain from attempting to cross in front of approaching vehicles.

The lawyer called on the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, the Federal Road Safety Corps and the police to intensify enforcement against traffic offenders to reduce the frequency of crashes and prevent further loss of lives.

He expressed concern over alleged cases in which traffic offenders were released following unofficial transactions, warning that such practices could undermine enforcement efforts and encourage further violations.

While acknowledging the efforts of traffic management and security personnel, Bankole called for more decisive action against dangerous driving along the busy expressway.

He urged motorists and pedestrians to recognise their shared responsibility for road safety and comply with traffic regulations to prevent avoidable tragedies.