A 23-year-old truck driver involved in a multi-vehicle accident on the M41 near uMhlanga this week made his first appearance at the Durban Magistrate’s Court.

Sithulile Siyabonga Nhlanhlayethu Zulu (23) allegedly lost control of his truck and crashed into more than 45 vehicles on the M41 on Monday morning in which 16 people were injured.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, Zulu is charged with reckless and negligent driving and failure to comply with the duties of a driver following an accident.

She added that the matter has now been remanded to next week, March 15, for bail information.

The serious accident brought the M41 to a complete standstill on Monday morning with paramedics describing the scene as “absolute mayhem.”

“A fully laden truck ploughed into multiple light motor vehicles. Multiple people were left with injuries, ranging from minor to moderate, with one pregnant female motorist being left with serious injuries,” said Emer-G Med Paramedics spokesperson, Kyle van Reenen.

One of those seriously injured includes a woman who was four months pregnant, who had to be airlifted to hospital.

The tipper asphalt truck crashed through a fence and landed on its side almost a kilometre down the road from the carnage.

It is believed that the truck driver allegedly fled from the scene and handed himself over to the police later that evening.