LASTMA Stops People From Drinking Beer After Truck Crash

A truck full of beer crashed into a dispatch rider and two cars at Abalti Barracks, heading towards Ojuelegba, Lagos, on Tuesday. This accident spilled beer bottles all over the road, causing commuters to rush for the drinks. Officials from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) quickly stepped in to stop them.

Adebayo Taofeeq, LASTMA's Public Relations Officer, shared details during a phone interview with PUNCH Metro on Tuesday. He explained that the truck driver was speeding when he tried to avoid hitting a vehicle in front of him.

Taofeeq said the driver did not brake in time and ended up hitting the dispatch rider before crashing into two other cars. He noted, “It was at high speed. The driver had to stop, but it was too late for him. He did not apply his brakes. Once he applied them, suddenly, he was going to hit the car ahead of him, so he swerved to hit the car head-on.

“He hit a dispatch rider down on the ground. It was much on the dispatch bike, and after that, he went ahead and hit another vehicle.”

The vehicles involved included a Lexus Jeep with the registration number LXR 960JS, a Hyundai Jeep with the registration number KTU 12JS, and a dispatch motorcycle with the registration number AAA 151QT. Taofeeq mentioned that the dispatch rider got serious injuries in the crash. LASTMA personnel rescued him and took him for medical help.

He added that LASTMA worked with the police to manage the accident site and prevent further traffic issues. The accident took a strange turn when many bottles of beer fell onto the road.

Taofeeq said people quickly started picking up the unbroken bottles and drinking the beer. He noted, “In the course of the accident, there were some bottles of beer that fell. Some people started picking one bottle after the other. But immediately when we arrived at the accident scene, we stopped people from engaging in it and drinking the beer that was scattered.”

Despite the efforts to control the situation, many onlookers gathered. Some commuters even stopped on their way to work to drink the spilled beer. Others brought plastic bottles to collect the beer for takeaway, turning the crash scene into a kind of “free bar.”

This situation brought different reactions from the public. While some people felt sorry for the beer company and criticized those taking advantage of the accident, others joked about the odd scene. Taofeeq said LASTMA acted quickly to clear the area and prevent any more traffic jams.

He stated, “We quickly cleared everything in a way to avoid any further traffic congestion or accident.” LASTMA confirmed in a statement on its official X account that the crash involved a Fuso truck loaded with beer, a Lexus Jeep, a Hyundai Jeep, and an Okada.

The agency noted that the crash happened at Abalti Barracks, inward Ojuelegba, and the truck's contents spilled onto the road. LASTMA said their personnel were on the scene to manage the situation, and the police were also present.

They added that officials from the Lagos State Waste Management Authority were clearing broken bottles from the street. LASTMA urged drivers to be careful while passing through the area.

Taofeeq also took the chance to warn drivers as part of LASTMA’s Ember Months road-safety campaign. He urged everyone to avoid reckless driving and drinking and driving. He mentioned that the campaign started on September 1 due to the increase in travel and activities during this time.

“I want to appeal to members of the public to avoid reckless driving. They must not drink and drive,” he said. Taofeeq also announced a free emergency hotline, 3367, for people to report reckless driving, accidents, or any incidents needing LASTMA's help.

He said, “For everybody that has observed any reckless driving, any accident, or any incident on the road, they should call 3367 so that the attention of LASTMA is promptly brought to it.”

He urged drivers and other road users to be responsible and work with traffic officials during the Ember Months.