Fatal accident in Brakpan: 14-year-old pedestrian dies after being struck by vehicle driven by a 12-year-old
A 12-year-old was allegedly at the wheel of a vehicle that drove into a 14-year-old pedestrian, who was killed as a result of the crash.
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A HEART-WRENCHING incident has left the Brakpan community in Gauteng in mourning after a 14-year-old boy lost his life after being struck by a vehicle allegedly driven by a 12-year-old.
The tragic accident unfolded on Saturday at the intersection of Northdene and Medeley Street, which raised questions about child safety and the responsibilities surrounding young drivers.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the Mazda vehicle collide with the young pedestrian, a harrowing incident in a normally quiet neighbourhood.
According to Zweli Dlamini, spokesperson for the City of Ekurhuleni, police officers from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department’s (EMPD) Accident Bureau swiftly arrived at the scene, where paramedics pronounced the boy dead upon their arrival.
“At the scene, officers found a Mazda that allegedly bumped the pedestrian driven by a 12-year-old driver,” Dlamini stated.
He added, “It is alleged that the driver, a 12-year-old, used the motor vehicle and disobeyed a stop sign before colliding with the pedestrian.” This assertion has raised concerns over how a minor was able to operate a vehicle in the first place.
In the aftermath of the incident, the young driver was taken into custody by local law enforcement alongside his guardian. They were handed over to the Brakpan South African Police Service (SAPS) for further investigation.
The suspect is currently expected to appear in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court soon, as authorities seek to piece together the circumstances leading to this devastating loss.
The Brakpan community is grappling with the impact of this tragic event, as conversations circulate regarding road safety and the legal implications of underage driving.
Parents and residents are left to wonder what more can be done to prevent such heart-breaking occurrences in the future. As the community mourns, the hope remains that steps will be taken to ensure the safety of its youngest residents.
DAILY NEWS