ABEOKUTA, Nigeria – Tragedy struck on the Abeokuta-Sagamu Expressway on Saturday, June 17, 2023, when a driver, allegedly asleep at the wheel, lost control of his vehicle, resulting in a fatal accident that claimed the lives of three Christian clerics.
The accident, according to the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement, TRACE, Corps, occurred around 9:44 am, near Day Waterman College, inbound Abeokuta.
TRACE Corps spokesman, Babatunde Akinbiyi, reported that the incident involved a black Kia Rio car with registration number AKD 827 DV, and a white Sino truck with a number plate marked WDL 466 XA.
The cause of the crash, he said, was due to the driver of the Rio car falling asleep while driving, coupled with speeding and subsequent loss of control.
The Rio car, in an attempt to regain control, skidded to the opposite lane, uprooting a street light at the median, before colliding with the Sino truck, which was loaded with cement and heading outbound Abeokuta.
In total, the accident involved seven men; three died, two were injured, and three were rescued unharmed.
All victims were taken to the State Hospital, Ijaiye, Abeokuta.
Eye-witnesses reported that the Rio car was transporting a driver, a passenger, and three clerics from Oke-Iragbiji in Osun State, for prayers and deliverance service.
The sudden loss of control and the resulting collision caused the instantaneous death of the three clerics, while the driver and the passenger were injured.
Akinbiyi, expressing his condolences to the families of the victims, urged motorists to avoid speeding and ensure they are well-rested before setting out on a journey.
