Hit and run on the speed cop

A tragic series of events on the N1 freeway in Cape Town has left two people dead and an injured inspector.

An officer was responding to a fatal motorcycle-pedestrian collision when he was hit by a fleeing driver.

The incident happened in the early hours of Sunday morning, shortly after midnight, near the footbridge over the N1 near the Okavango exit, Kraaifontein, where a speeding motorcycle crashed into a woman, killing both.

A police spokesman, Sergeant Wesley Twigg, confirmed the fatal crash and that a traffic officer was hit by a car at the scene.

Twigg explains: “There are reports that a motorcycle collided with a pedestrian.

“Medics confirmed the death of a 31-year-old motorcyclist and an adult woman at the scene, another injured woman was taken to a medical facility for medical assistance.

“The traffic police inspector who arrived at the scene was also injured when he was hit by another car. He was taken to a medical facility for medical assistance.”

JP Smith, a member of the city’s safety and security committee, says a traffic police officer was present at the fatal scene when he was hit by a white bakkie and the driver fled the scene.

According to him, the policeman suffered a broken leg during the collision.

Twigg says Kraifontein police have registered a case of intentional homicide for investigation.

County Councilor Reinhardt Bresler says there are several pedestrian and road bridges over the N1 that provide safe crossing options for pedestrians.

He says it is an offense for pedestrians to cross a national road except at designated places, such as bridges.

Bresler explains, “There are many factors that can contribute to an accident; speed, carelessness, alcohol abuse, etc. I don’t know what the circumstances were.

“It is very sad that such accidents happen and lives are lost.

“I will indeed be pleading with pedestrians to avoid crossing national roads at other than safe pedestrian crossings designated for them.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

Smith says the incident coincides with city authorities arresting 298 suspects over the weekend on various charges.

Traffic police arrested 52 suspects, including 36 for driving under the influence, 11 for careless and reckless driving and another five for various offences.

“They recorded 56,923 offences, seized 226 vehicles and executed 2,040 arrest warrants,” says Smith.

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