Three people who were Christian priests died on Saturday, on the Abeokuta-Sagamu Expressway, Ogun State, after a “sleepy driver” lost control.

According to the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement (TRACE) Corps, the accident happened close to Day Waterman College, heading towards Abeokuta at about 9:44 a.m.

Corroborating the report, Babatunde Akinbiyi, spokesperson for TRACE Corps, said the road accident involved a white Sino truck with number plate WDL 466 XA and a black Kia Rio automobile with registration number AKD 827 DV.

Akinbiyi ruled that the over-speeding driver of the Rio car, who was sleepy, lost control while driving, which contributed to the road accident.

He claims that the car crossed over to the opposite lane of the road, toppled the street light at the median, and crashed into a Sino cement truck that was travelling from Abeokuta.

Reports stated that there were seven men involved in the tragic incident; three died, two were wounded, and three were unharmed.

According to reports, the casualties were taken to the State Hospital in Ijaiye, Abeokuta.

Akinbiyi referenced an eyewitness who stated that the Rio car with a driver, a passenger, and three church clerics dressed in white robes were travelling from Oke-Iragbiji in Osun State for prayers and a deliverance session.

The Sino truck carrying cement was travelling out of Abeokuta when the driver abruptly lost control due to excessive speed and was also sleeping behind the wheel. He went over the median, crashed into and toppled the street lamp on the median, and then collided head-on with the Sino truck.

The impact of the crash caused the death of the three clerics immediately, while the driver and the passenger in front were only wounded.

Akinbiyi expressed sympathy to the families of the victims while advising drivers to avoid speeding and get enough rest, ideally six to seven hours before a trip.