Driver expected in court after deadly crash that claimed the lives of 14 Gauteng learners

The 22-year-old scholar transport driver accused of causing a crash that claimed the lives of 14 learners in Vanderbijlpark is expected to appear before the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

The driver faces 14 counts of culpable homicide as well as charges of reckless and negligent driving following the deadly crash, which occurred on Monday.

The accident, which sent shockwaves across Gauteng and the country, involved a scholar transport vehicle and a truck. Twelve learners died from the crash, while several others sustained injuries.

Three learners are still receiving medical treatment following the crash. Authorities have confirmed that the injured pupils remain in hospital as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the collision continue.

On Tuesday, IOL reported that Gauteng police said the scholar transport driver was arrested after being discharged from the hospital, where he had been receiving treatment following the crash. Police visited hospitals and the mortuary to verify the number of fatalities and injuries.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo previously said the driver of the truck involved in the crash escaped unharmed, while the truck’s passenger sustained injuries and is receiving treatment in hospital.

Investigations are ongoing as police continue to obtain witness statements and assess the events leading up to the crash. The cause of the accident has not yet been officially confirmed.

The tragedy has once again raised concerns about scholar transport safety and road conditions, with calls for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and improved oversight of learner transport services.

More details around the crash are expected to emerge when the accused driver makes his first court appearance.

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

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