Motorist hits four pedestrians, kills three-year-old

Tragedy struck in the Ipaja area of Lagos State after a motorist, identified as Olaoye Orisabiyi, knocked down five pedestrians, including a three-year-old girl, identified as Aishat Nurudeen.

While four of the victims are currently in critical conditions at the Alimosho General Hospital, Nurudeen reportedly died.

The incident happened on Sunday around 3pm at Adefemi junction in the Ipaja area.

A police source told PUNCH Metro that the suspect lost control of the vehicle, a Honda Compact Recreational Vehicle, and rammed into the pedestrians.

He said, “The accident happened around 3pm. The driver lost control of the vehicle. He crushed pedestrians by the roadside, including the girl.

“Four of them were seriously injured and were taken to the Alimosho General Hospital. But the girl died on the spot.”

A resident, who identified herself as Ope, said the driver was a learner, adding that he didn’t have his instructor by his side when the accident happened.

She said, “The driver was a learner. He didn’t have his instructor by his side when he lost control of the CRV and rammed the vehicle into some people who were by the roadside.

“The girl was with her mother when the accident happened. The woman’s legs were crushed, while the child died on the spot. She was laid on the road and covered with cloth. The scene was too gory; I could not even look twice.”

Ope said the police were alerted to the incident as some people tried to attack the driver, who was rescued and taken to the station.

The vehicle was also towed to the Ipaja Police Station, where the suspect was detained.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the accident, adding that the victim’s corpse had been handed over to the family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.

She said, “The accident happened at about 3pm and involved a Honda CRV, with number plate, SMK 15 EC.

“The driver, Orisabiyi, hit five people at the junction. In the process, one of the victims, Aishat Nurudeen, aged three, died on the spot, while four others sustained serious injuries and were rushed to a hospital for treatment.

“The corpse has been released to the parents for burial according to Islamic rites, while the vehicle was taken to the station so that the Vehicle Inspection Service can inspect it. The driver has been arrested.”