Drunk driver kills Metro police officer

A Metro police officer died this morning after he was run over by a drunk motorist on the N1 North in Midrand before midnight on 21 May.

Metro police spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said the 38-year-old officer was standing on the side of the road outside his patrol vehicle, writing a traffic fine for another motorist. Minnaar said, “The drunk driver with a white Mercedes Benz vehicle slammed into the patrol vehicle. Two female family members of the drunk driver who arrived at the scene were also arrested when they removed alcohol from the drunk driver’s vehicle.” The officer, in critical condition, was taken to Milpark Hospital where he later died.

Minnaar said the driver of the Mercedes Benz was taken to Sunninghill Hospital where his blood was drawn. He was then arrested and taken to Sandton Police Station where he was charged for culpable homicide, reckless and drunken driving. A statement from Netcare 911’s media liason officer, Chris Botha mentioned that paramedics received a call from a Metro police officer who had been struck by a vehicle at the Buccleuch Interchange on the N1 North. Botha said, “Paramedics arrived at the scene and found the roadway littered with debris and the twisted frame of the police vehicle.

The twisted frame of the other vehicle had come to rest on its side in the centre median. The officer was stabilised by the Emer-G-Med advanced Life Support paramedics at the scene and then airlifted to a specialised hospital for the care that he required. The driver of the Mercedes Benz escaped with moderated injuries and was treated at the scene and then transported to a local hospital by a private ambulance service.”