A girl (5) was killed and her mother (22) and a baby were critically injured when an allegedly drunk female driver (29) hit them at high speed on the side of the road near the Caribbean Beach Estate in Hartbeespoort on Christmas Day.

According to an article published by Kormorant, the impact was so severe that the girl’s leg was torn from her body.

According to police spokesperson Colonel Adele Myburgh, the driver was arrested at the scene for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and culpable homicide.

Myburgh says the driver of a black Volkswagen Amarok, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, hit the mother, with a baby in her arms, and her small daughter shortly before 18:00.

The vehicle came to a standstill on a low wall.

According to a witness at the scene, community members who witnessed the accident stormed the driver who got out of the vehicle and was trying to get away.

“She seemed unsteady on her feet. Members of the community dragged her back to the accident scene. Emotions ran high. She was pushed back into the vehicle, and community members threw bricks through the windows. She managed to get out again and ran across the road, asking for help. The crowd again dragged her back. The situation got out of control, and security officers from an estate drove her away in a golf cart until police arrived,” the witness said.

Hartbeespoort Emergency Medical Service attended to the mother and baby at the scene. The mother sustained serious head injuries and was transported to Ga-Rankuwa Hospital. The baby was taken to a hospital in Rustenburg.

Myburgh said police are waiting for a court date.

“She was supposed to appear in court shortly after the accident but the case was not placed on the court role because witness statements still had to be obtained. The police now have the statements and she will appear in court soon.”