A commercial truck crushed three Junior Secondary School students (JSS) and a commercial motorcyclist, popularly known as an Okada rider, to death In Oluyole Local Government Area (LGA) of Oyo State,
The LG chairman, Akeem Olatunji, while confirming this stated that the incident occurred on Tuesday, July 8 in the morning on the Abanla–Idi-Ayunre road, while the students were commuting to school.
He said that a commercial truck driver, in a failed attempt to overtake another vehicle, rammed into a motorcycle carrying the three students, crushing them, the truck driver immediately fled the scene.
The commercial motorcyclist and two of the students died instantly, while the third student was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital where he had been rushed for treatment.
Olatunji noted that had the commercial motorcyclists adhered to all necessary traffic regulations, including passenger limits, the rider might have been able to navigate and maneuver, thus preventing the tragic accident.
He said, “This is one tragedy too many, I can only imagine what the parents and families of these future leaders are going through emotionally, psychologically and physically, right now. I’m a father and I can tell it is better imagined.
“We cannot continue to lose our children to preventable road accidents due to reckless drivers and riders who are bent on violating our laws at will.
“Speed bumps should be constructed on the road without delay, We must take firm steps to slow down these trailers and protect our people, especially schoolchildren.”
Olatunji condemned the recklessness of certain trailer drivers and commercial motorcyclists operating in the area, attributing it to their pursuit of quick money.
He further assured the students’ families that justice would be served, pledging that the council would spare no effort to ensure the driver is apprehended and held accountable and the construction company owning the truck would be compelled to compensate the bereaved families.
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