Anastasios Peyios (65) from Ramsgate, who was charged with drunk driving and released on bail of R5 000 last year, appeared in the Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court yesterday (Thursday 19th).

The South Coast businessman faces eight counts of culpable homicide after a family of eight from Pietermaritzburg died in the crash in January 2018.

He pleaded not guilty to negligently causing the deaths of the eight people, as well as to a charge of drunk driving.

The horror crash occurred on the toll road near Umzumbe.

The victims were Veroshnie Ramparsad (34), her husband Mitchell Mahabeer (37), her mother Lorraine Rampersadh (56) and Mitchell’s brother Jesse Mahabeer (22).

The children were Isabella (12), Leah (6), Titus (3), and Hannah (8).

ALSO READ: Family killed in horror N2 crash identified

The family were returning to their Northdale home after their holiday. Mr Peyios was travelling in a bakkie.

In court he pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The case was postponed to November 27 for further evidence.

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