The incident happened at about 20:00 next to the PPS Filling Station towards the R36 Ohrigstad road.
It was reported on various emergency WhatsApp groups, asking for urgent assistance since no emergency personnel or SAPS were on the scene yet.

Rapid Response, Netcare 911 and the SAPS were dispatched to the address supplied. The man was declared dead on the scene.

The body was wrapped in plastic layers by bystanders.

It is not certain what led to the incident, but according to information received, the man and a group of friends were standing near the truck that was parked on the side of the road. According to reports, the driver was making his way to the tar road when the man’s clothing either got caught on the tailgate indicator or another protruding part of the truck.

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He was flung underneath the moving vehicle and the wheels went over his head.
The group of friends tried to flag down the driver, however, he drove away in the direction of Ohrigstad.

Capt Alfred Moela confirmed the incident and said the driver of the truck was later apprehended in Steelpoort. “He alleged that on account of the recent hijackings of trucks in town and on the roads, he thought that the group was possibly trying to do the same to him. He therefore fled the scene.”
Johan Harmse of Rapid Response said the man’s skull was crushed.

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Moela added that two cases were opened following the incident: culpable homicide and hit-and-run.

“The deceased cannot be identified at the moment as he is not from town and his next of kin have not yet been located. The investigation is in the early stages and no more information can be divulged until they (the family) have been traced and notified,” Moela said.

The driver of the truck has not appeared in court. A court date will still be set.