JUST IN: Kempton Park West dad dies in accident involving off-duty police officer
Swanepoel was hit by an off-duty police officer in a private vehicle
A 47-year-old Kempton Park West cyclist on his way to work died on Wednesday morning after being struck by an off-duty police officer, also on his way to work.
The police officer, based at Rabie Ridge SAPS, was driving a private Toyota Hilux bakkie when he hit Willem Swanepoel (47) on Pyp Avenue.
According to police on the scene, the accident occurred around 7am. Swanepoel was found a couple of metres from the scene of impact. Police said paramedics arrived on the scene and tried to resuscitate Swanepoel. However, he was declared dead at about 8am.
“The police officer was taken to hospital with minor injuries. A case of culpable homicide has been opened,” police told Express.
According to Swanepoel’s sister Hester le Roux people tend to skip stop signs on this street and race like it’s Kyalami.
The police officer who attended to the scene urged motorists to be careful when driving on Pyp Avenue.
“Many people drive recklessly and at high speed. This was not the first incident.”
She said another accident occurred on the same street where a child was hit by a car.
Swanepoel’s nephew, Timothy van den Berg (23), who also stays on Pyp Avenue, said: “This has been a concern for a long time as all of us who reside here have been trying to get the municipality to build speed humps.”
Swanepoel is survived by a seven month-old baby boy, a 20-year-old daughter and girlfriend who have two children of her own.
“He always wanted to have a boy and finally got him, and now look what happened,” said Van den Berg.
