Man bitten when trying to restrain reckless driver
Despite needing antibiotics through and IV and a 28-day course of ARVs, Conrad Dedekind says he was glad he could contribute to a safer community.
Like an animal caught in a trap, a reckless driver turned around and latched onto the man restraining him with his teeth.
Traffic official, Mario Gouws, observed the man shooting a red traffic light and blatantly disregarding a number of other traffic rules on Monday.
Mr Gouws continued to follow the vehicle until it came to a stop at a filling station in Barry Hertzog Park. When Mr Gouws attempted to apprehend him, however, the driver made a run for it.
Conrad Dedekind and Johan Venter, who had just made a purchase from the convenience store on the way to work, witnessed the man fleeing from Mr Gouws and gave chase.
“I followed in my vehicle, while Conrad gave chase on foot. Conrad caught him and restrained him and the suspect tried to get away by biting Conrad. We later heard that he was probably so desperate to escape because he had outstanding warrants of arrest against his name,” said Mr Venter.
Mr Dedekind said he had restrained the man and was holding him to the ground when the man managed to wriggle around and grab the tender flesh just beneath Mr Dedekind’s right armpit between his teeth.
While the man had bitten against Mr Dedekind’s shirt, he still managed to latch onto a chunk of Mr Dedekind’s flesh and wouldn’t let go.
“He only let go once Johan returned with the traffic officer. I had to be taken to Madadeni Hospital where I was given antibiotics through an IV drip, and I was given antiretrovirals.”
Mr Dedekind can experience nausea and weakness caused by the antiretrovirals over Christmas and New Year, while on the 28-day treatment. Far from being sour about it though, he maintained it was his duty to help when he could.
“We need to assist law enforcement when the need arises,” agreed Mr Venter. “At the end of the day, we are one big community. Everybody is a victim of crime at some stage or the other and we all need to assist to make the community a safer place. I would like to commend the traffic officer for being so observant and for his quick response. We appreciate the fact that he is looking out for us, law abiding citizens.”
