Accident Turns Woman's Birthday To Sorrow

Pini Bothoko | Monday September 9, 2019 11:28

The birthday celebration took a horrific turn as its next leg was being moved from Gaborone to Thamaga when the deceased was ejected from a moving car after hitting a pedestrian.

Thamaga police station commander, superintendent Moses Kwarare said the deceased and her 30-year-old boyfriend were in the company of a 10-year-old boy when the accident occurred.

“The trio was heading to Thamaga from Gaborone where they had begun to celebrate the deceased’s birthday. They were supposed to wrap up the celebrations with a braai session in Thamaga when they met their fate,” he said.

He said their car hit a 40-year-old pedestrian who was trying to cross the road at around 7:30pm.  Kwarare said after being hit by the car the man fell on top of the windscreen on the passenger side where the deceased was seated.

“It appears when applying the brakes the pedestrian, who also lost his life on the spot, was thrown out of the car along with the birthday girl. It is as if she had not worn her seat belt because she was ejected out of the car,” said Kwarare.

He said both deceased were rushed to Thamaga Primary Hospital where they were certified dead by doctors upon arrival. 

Kwarare further stated that the 10-year-old boy hit the back of the driver’s seat with his head in the impact and lost two of his front teeth.

“The boy and the driver of the car, a soldier based at Thebephatshwa Air Base, sustained minor injuries, and were treated and discharged the same day. The driver had suffered minor chest pains,” added Kwarare.

Asked if the driver was under the influence of alcohol or not, Kwarare said the police carried out immediate tests on him and he was found to be sober. He said the names of both the deceased were still withheld.

“Looking at the impact of the accident we suspect that the driver was over-speeding. The driver is currently in police custody assisting in the investigation. He is currently on a holding charge for causing death by careless driving,” he said.

Kwarare called on drivers to follow road sings and drive at a minimum speed of 60km in village centres to avoid unnecessary accidents.

“Drivers should be cautious of pedestrians, especially when driving past bars or shops near the road,” said Kwarare.

“In this incident, the pedestrian was crossing the road from the northern side facing the southern side. He was probably from the village crossing to the bars on the south (end) of the main road.”