Chaos erupted Monday night, July 7, 2025, on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway after a parked truck lost control and reversed into oncoming vehicles at the busy Tipper Garage axis, killing two people and injuring nine others in a devastating crash involving a Mazda bus and a commercial tricycle.
According to Adekunle Ajibade, South-West Area Commander of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), the truck driver had parked his DAF vehicle (registration number JJJ 144 XD) on a slope opposite a warehouse entrance and left the engine running while delivering a waybill to security guards nearby.
The tragedy unfolded at exactly 7:40 p.m., when the truck, allegedly due to a disengaged handbrake, suddenly rolled backward into the expressway, ramming into a Mazda bus (EPE 394 XP) and a tricycle (DGB 599 VC) carrying commuters home after work. Passengers were thrown out of their seats as screams and screeching tires pierced the air.
Emergency responders from TRACE and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) arrived swiftly, battling to evacuate victims in the dark. Two people were confirmed dead at the scene and taken to Ifo General Hospital, where nine others with varying degrees of injuries were also rushed for urgent medical care. Three other persons narrowly escaped unhurt.
Eyewitnesses said the area has become notorious for such reckless stops by truck drivers using the slope for convenience, with minimal enforcement. “This was bound to happen. We see them park carelessly every day—like they don’t value human lives,” said a nearby trader, who joined first responders.
Ajibade urged drivers to adhere strictly to parking regulations, especially on slopes and busy road corridors. He emphasized the importance of double-checking brake systems and avoiding the practice of leaving vehicles unattended while running. “This was avoidable,” he said, noting that all damaged vehicles were quickly towed off the road to restore normal traffic flow.
The Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, a critical transport artery connecting Ogun and Lagos states, has seen multiple fatal crashes in recent months, prompting fresh calls for surveillance cameras, stricter enforcement, and a public awareness campaign on safe parking practices.
