Johannesburg – A weekend drag race involving two cars speeding down a narrow road ended in tragedy after one of the cars mowed down several pedestrians killing an 8-year-old child and injuring several other people.
After the crash, one of the drag race drivers was badly beaten up by residents. The other driver alighted from his car and bolted.
Both cars were set alight in retaliation.
The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) said the tragedy occurred on Sunday, (8 January 2023), at about 19H44.
Narrating events leading to the death and injuries, EMPD Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Kelebogile Thepa said: “Tragedy struck in the Daveyton area when two motor vehicles, involved in an illegal drag race at the corner of Simunye Street and Madikizela Drive in Etwatwa, collided with several pedestrians”.
Lt. Colonel Thepa added: “It is alleged that a white Toyota Etios and a white Nissan 1400 were engaged in an illegal drag race, when the driver of the Toyota Etios lost control of the vehicle and collided with a group of minors and adults.
“An 8-year-old boy died on the scene, and two 12-year-old boys who sustained slight injuries were transported to the nearest hospital for treatment.”
Three other injured pedestrians aged 12, 30, and 37 were treated for shock by emergency services.
“A 50-year-old male driver of the Toyota Etios, who was attacked by community members and had his vehicle set alight, was transported to the nearest hospital for treatment,” said Lt Colonel Thepa.
“Furthermore, the unknown driver of the white Nissan 1400 fled the scene on foot to avoid the violent community members, who set alight his abandoned vehicle.”
Members of the EMPD Etwatwa Precinct arrived on the scene and managed to calm the situation..
“The remains of the boy were taken to the Springs Mortuary, and a docket of culpable homicide was opened by the EMPD, at the Etwatwa SAPS police station,” said Lt. Colonel Thepa.
“The EMPD urges members of the community to report illegal street racing to the authorities immediately, and refrain from taking the law into their own hands.”
