Police are investigating a case of culpable homicide following the death of a motorist in an accident on the R40 on October 9.

According to Capt Dawie Pretorius this is regularly done in instances where a death occurred during an accident. A case was opened to cater for a scenario in which the car crash could have been caused by another driver’s negligence.

As the investigation was still ongoing at the time of going to press, Pretorius could not reveal the name of the motorist killed.

Impact splits vehicle in two

On Monday afternoon, motorists travelling along Madiba Drive witnessed a horrific accident scene.

At about 15:30, the driver of a metallic red Toyota Tazz lost control of his vehicle. Seconds later, he was stuck underneath half of the wreck that had been ripped in two.

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The two halves lay on either side of a concrete barrier separating the R40’s north- and southbound lanes.
ER24 branch manager, Greg Wilcox was on the scene, as was Hi-Tech Emergency Medical Services’ Freek Esterhuizen.

The former recalled how they proceeded to retrieve the driver.

“Freek managed to lift the car,” he said. “It was clear that the driver was in a critical condition. He had no visible external injuries, but he was bleeding from his mouth and nose,” added Wilcox.

The driver was intubated on the scene.

According to Hi-Tech’s operational manager, Callum Mac Pherson, the driver was transported to Rob Ferreira Hospital in Hi-Tech’s ambulance. “He passed away as he was pushed through the hospital’s doors,” said Wilcox.

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The deceased’s identity has not yet been confirmed.

According to Joseph Mabuza, spokesman for the department of safety and security, the scene attested to the fact that “a terrible, terrible accident had taken place.”

According to Mabuza, the cause of the accident is unknown.

“All we know is that he had lost control, presumably as a result of speeding,” he told Nelspruit Post.

How the car split in two remains a mystery, yet Wilcox offered a theory.

“Possibly, he sped and his car hit the pole of a street lamp. This may have ripped the wreck in two, where after it landed on either side of the concrete barrier,” he said.

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Mabuza pointed out that the speed limit in the area is 70 kilometres per hour. He plead with local motorists to adhere to speed limits.

“These limits are there for a reason – to protect you,” he said.

Mabuza acknowledged that drivers tend to speed on the R40 between Rocky Drift and the city’s CBD.

“Drivers who exceed the speed limit end up in dangerous situations – their fast driving renders them unable to slow down timeously and stop at red lights. This leads to them speeding past red traffic lights,” he said. “Please, think of yourself, your passengers and your fellow drivers. Do not speed,” he concluded.