'He was fleeing from police at 170km/h': Five people killed as speeding Toyota Corolla crashes
Five people were killed in a horrific multiple-vehicle crash on the N2 Road between Ermelo and Mkhondo (formerly Piet Retief) near Ngwempisi in Mpumalanga, when a driver of a Toyota Corolla sedan crashed while fleeing from law enforcement agents.
The provincial department of community safety, security and liaison said two sedans, a taxi pulling a trailer and a truck were involved in the collision on Friday.
“Indications are that the driver of the Toyota Corolla sedan was allegedly driving over 170 kilometers per hour,” Moeti Mmusi, spokesperson for the Mpumalanga department of community safety, security and liaison spoke to IOL.
“He apparently had failed to stop when he was signaled by law enforcement officers, and subsequently he collided with another vehicle, a seven-seater Toyota multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) that was loaded with eight people on the same road.”
Mmusi said the speeding driver of the Toyota Corolla sedan, who was alone in the vehicle, seemingly lost control before colliding with the other vehicles, including the truck. He was not injured in the crash and was arrested at the scene.
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“Five people including the driver of the Toyota MPV, lost their lives and three survivors were rushed to the hospital,” said Mmusi.
“The other driver of the Toyota Corolla sedan, who was alone in the vehicle at the time of the crash, was arrested and charged with excessive speeding, failure to stop when ordered to stop by law enforcers, and for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.”
The investigation into the collision is already underway.
Meanwhile, Mpumalanga’s MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie has appealed to motorists to be responsible on the roads, in a bid to curb “needless loss of lives”.
Macie has also cautioned motorists to respect the rules of the road, and the rights of other road users.
“Too many tears have been shed already and too many families have been left devastated by inconsiderate, reckless and negligent driver behaviour, and this needs to stop. All road users must play their part by obeying the rules to make our roads safer,” said the MEC.
Macie has extended condolences to the bereaved families.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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