The families of Kaayla Lambert (21), Jean Denton (23), and Aobakwe ‘Bakwe’ Banda (23) are looking forward to seeing justice done more than a year after the three died in a crash at the corner of 9th Avenue and Goldman Street.

According to Jean’s sister Carly Denton, the case against the driver accused of causing the accident has dragged on for more than a year, with one postponement after another.•

• Read the initial article here: Three youngsters killed in suspected red light horror crash in Florida

“He’s been on bail since the incident, going about his life as if nothing has happened,” she said.

“We’ve had to come to court 13 times, only to hear that the case has yet again been postponed.

“He has tried through his legal team across different tiers of court to get the case dismissed on the basis that he claims the car had a mechanical failure.

“These applications have now all been dismissed, and we finally have a date for pre-trial procedures to begin.”

The Roodepoort Record previously reported that the three boarded an e-hailing vehicle at around 01:00 on July 10, 2025, after a night out.

Video footage showed their vehicle turning off 9th Avenue onto Goldman Street on a green light when another vehicle travelling along Goldman Street towards Maraisburg slammed into it at high speed.

• Also read: Three young lives lost in Florida crash involving alleged drunk driver – victims identified

Families react

“They made all the right choices,” said Bakwe’s father Alexander Banda.

“They were decent, responsible young people with their entire lives still in front of them, only for it all to be ripped away in an instant.”

The families say the strain on them has been immense.

“The shock of Bakwe’s death was too much for his grandmother to bear, and she passed away of a heart attack shortly after the accident,” said Alexander.

Kaayla’s parents Jama Allow and Candice Lambert are also under strain.

“We know getting justice for Kaayla won’t bring her back,” said Candice.

“But we need this as a family to be able to move forward.

“It feels like we are stuck in place, and we are forced to relive this tragedy every time we face this man in court.”

Court proceedings set to begin

The accused’s name is known to the Record but is being withheld until pre-trial proceedings begin.

The communications co-ordinator for the South African Police Service Johannesburg District, Lieutenant Colonel Mpho Tshetlane, has confirmed that the accused is charged with culpable homicide.

The Record has thus far been unable to contact the e-hailing driver, who was allegedly critically injured in the collision.

The case is set to resume at the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on May 18, 2027.