Pedestrian Dies In Hit And Run
Pini Bothoko | Tuesday September 21, 2021 06:00
Police are appealing to members of the public to help them identify the driver of an unknown vehicle that reportedly hit the deceased and drove off.
District Traffic Officer, Superintendent Boiki Mojalemotho said the accident occurred at around 2130hrs in Block 5. He said the mishap occurred after the deceased had just disembarked from a combi.
“Investigations are ongoing to locate the suspect who fled the crime scene. We do not have concrete evidence of what transpired, but we suspect that the pedestrian, who failed to observe the road (signs) before crossing, was hit by a speeding car, which its driver failed to slow down while approaching the bus stop,” he said.
Mojalemotho stated that the investigative team is working around the clock to locate the driver and the car that hit the deceased. He pleaded for help from members of the public who might have witnessed the accident or have any information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect.
“We are pleading with members of the public to come forward and identify the deceased at Pule Mortuary because he (the deceased) did not have any form of identification. He had sustained injuries on his head and body. The head injuries were serious.”
The traffic boss said despite not having statistics at the time of the interview, road accidents involving pedestrians are now becoming worrisome because lives are lost.
Mojalemotho implored motorists to be cautious at all times and to reduce speed when approaching traffic lights, bus stops or junctions to avoid unnecessary accidents.
“Drivers should be cautious at all times because they might not know what is happening on the other side, especially by the traffic lights and bus stops,” he said.
“We are trying by all means to caution drivers on the dangers of reckless driving, but it seems like our efforts are falling on deaf ears. Drivers continue to over-speed and drink while driving, something that puts their lives and others in danger despite our continued education.”
Recently, police director of traffic, senior assistant commissioner, Katlholo Mosimanegape raised a concern over the level of impatience demonstrated by some drivers towards pedestrians.
He revealed that this year alone they have recorded 139 fatal accidents in which 45 pedestrians lost their lives.
Mosimanegape added that on a daily and weekly basis, police record accidents that involve pedestrians and in most cases, they would have lost their lives.