Durban - Police have opened a case of culpable homicide against a 17-year-old driver after a municipal worker died in hospital following an accident in Phoenix on Friday.
Three eThekwini Water Services employees were inspecting valves on the verge in Tatford Road when a red VW Polo crashed into them. It rammed them up against a brick wall, which caused the wall to collapse.
The impact severed one victim’s leg, and critically injured all three employees. The police initially opened a case of reckless and negligent driving, but one of the three workers died in hospital on Friday after going into cardiac arrest.
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The 17-year-old driver has not been arrested. The docket will be sent to court for a decision. A case of culpable homicide and reckless and negligent driving were opened for investigation,” said KZN SAPS spokesman Thulani Zwane.
Municipal spokeswoman Tozi Mthethwa said a 38-year-old municipal handyman supervisor had been in a stable condition when he left the accident scene, but had later gone into cardiac arrest.
He had suffered severe internal injuries, a head injury and crushed pelvic bones.
He had been working for the municipality since 2006, becoming a permanent member of staff last year.
The other two employees remained in hospital. One was released from hospital on Friday, but was readmitted at the weekend when his condition worsened.
Both had recently been employed by the municipality.
“They were young and able-bodied, full of enthusiasm.
We wish them a speedy recovery,” said Richard Mngoma, the city’s deputy head of water operations.
The Mercury