Tragedy on the Expressway: 5 key details from Anthony Joshua's fatal car crash in Nigeria

Anthony Joshua was injured Monday when the Lexus SUV he was riding in collided with a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway near Sagamu around 11 a.m. local time

The global boxing community is in shock today, December 29, 2025, following reports of a devastating road accident involving two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.

Just ten days after his high-profile victory over Jake Paul in Miami, the 36-year-old boxer’s holiday visit to his ancestral homeland turned into a nightmare on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. 

While Joshua miraculously escaped with minor injuries, the accident tragically claimed the lives of two people traveling in his vehicle.

Here are the 5 critical facts surrounding the tragedy that has halted the festive celebrations in Ogun State.

1. The "Stationary Truck" Collision

The accident occurred around 11:00 AM on Monday in the Makun axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, near the Sagamu Interchange. 

Preliminary reports from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and eyewitnesses indicate that the black Lexus SUV (registration KRD 850 HN) carrying Joshua rammed into a stationary red commercial truck parked by the roadside. 

The impact was so severe that the front of the Lexus was completely crushed.

2. Excessive speed and overtaking maneuvers

According to a statement from the FRSC spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, the primary causes of the crash appear to be excessive speed and wrongful overtaking. 

Investigators believe the vehicle was travelling well beyond the legal speed limit when the driver lost control during an overtaking maneuver, leading to the fatal collision with the parked truck.

3. Two fatalities confirmed

Tragically, the crash resulted in the immediate deaths of two male passengers. Reports indicate that these victims were seated in the front passenger seat and the rear seat next to Joshua. 

The Ogun State Government later identified the deceased as foreign nationals who were part of Joshua's entourage. Their remains have been deposited at the Livewell Morgue in Sagamu.

4. Joshua’s condition: "Dazed but Stable"

Footage circulating on social media shows a shirtless, visibly shaken Anthony Joshua being helped out of the wreckage by emergency responders and concerned passers-by. 

While he appeared to be in pain and wincing, authorities have confirmed he sustained only minor injuries. 

He was initially treated at an undisclosed hospital in Sagamu before being transferred to a specialised facility in Lagos, where doctors have declared him stable.

5. The "Highway of Death" context

The tragedy has reignited a fierce debate over the safety of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, often dubbed the "Highway of Death" by locals. 

This specific stretch of road is notorious for high-speed accidents involving stationary heavy-duty trucks. 

Between 2023 and early 2025, nearly 650 people have lost their lives on this highway, highlighting a systemic infrastructure crisis that nearly claimed the life of one of the world's most famous athletes.

Official Reactions

Promoter Eddie Hearn expressed his shock from the Caribbean, stating that while Joshua appears to be okay, the team is mourning the loss of their colleagues. 

The Ogun State Government has extended its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and has promised a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the crash.