Bloemfontein – A 47-year-old police sergeant was killed and another officer injured when a police vehicle collided head-on with a Toyota Quantum on the N8 near Sannaspos in the early hours of Saturday.
The officers were responding to a complaint received by members at the Bloemspruit Community Service Centre when the fatal collision occurred at about 02:45.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), four police vehicles were travelling in convoy along the N8 National Road in an easterly direction after two vehicles from Kopanong and Heidedal police stations joined the response as backup.
Police allege that a white Toyota Quantum travelling from Botshabelo towards Bloemfontein was being driven recklessly when it crossed into the convoy’s lane.
“The Quantum is said to have left its lane and hit the right rear-view mirror of the first police vehicle,” SAPS said.
The driver of the second police vehicle attempted to avoid the oncoming Quantum, but the Toyota collided head-on with the third police vehicle.
The 47-year-old sergeant driving the third police vehicle was declared dead at the scene by paramedics. Another sergeant who was travelling in the vehicle was taken to hospital with injuries.
The 34-year-old driver of the Toyota Quantum was also taken to a local hospital.
Free State Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia expressed his condolences following the officer’s death.
“It is with profound sadness that we mourn the loss of one of our members who lost his life while performing his duty and responding to a complaint,” Lesia said.
“This is a painful reminder of the risks that police officers face every day in the execution of their responsibilities and their commitment to protecting the communities they serve,” he said.
Lesia also extended his condolences to the officer’s family, colleagues and friends and wished the injured officer a speedy recovery.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, colleagues and friends of the deceased Sergeant during this extremely difficult time,” he said.
“We extend our sincere wishes for a speedy recovery to the member who sustained injuries in the collision,” Lesia added.
Road Incident Management System roleplayers were called to the scene following the crash.
A case of culpable homicide has been opened for further investigation.
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Picture: Facebook / SAPS
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
