Numerous vehicles were damaged when a motorist in what may be considered a game of bumper cars seemingly raced along Beach Road creating chaos rather than avoiding it.
Details of the incident were shared on the social media platform Facebook as locals called for anyone with information which could help track down the culprit who allegedly sped off after ramming into parked cars opposite Strand Pavilion during the early hours of last Saturday morning (4 June).
According to a nearby resident who claimed to witness the incident while out on the balcony with his dog around 04:00, he spotted what is believed to be a dark-coloured Landrover Discovery as it was making its way down Beach Road in the vicinity of the fountain circle. “The driver had both windows open and was speaking on either a cellphone or two-way radio before hitting the white Toyota Hilux,” recalled the resident, “which smashed into a white Volkswagen Polo and then rammed into a maroon Chevrolet SUV and blueish green Hyundai car.”
He further recalled the driver allegedly getting out of his vehicle and walking around the front to check for damage. He then “politely” got back into the vehicle and drove off via Van Reyneveldt Street.
DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette obtained a video taken of security footage of the incident which corroborates the driver’s reaction.
The resident claimed Strand police were alerted to the “hit-and-run”, but never responded. However, a traffic officer who passed the scene around 11:30 made a U-turn to stop and enquire about what had occurred. “That’s when an accident report was compiled and owners of the damaged vehicles went to report to the police station and open a case.”
Strand police spokesperson Warrant Officer Nico Beukes confirmed the incident was reported and a case of reckless and negligent driving is being investigated.
The complainant, the devastated 48-year-old owner of the bakkie, said he just didn’t know what to do given the very bad situation. “When I left my bakkie in the on-street parking bay around 20:00 the previous evening it was fine, undamaged. However, it was a sad state of affairs that I woke up to Saturday morning.”
Another victim, the owner of the Chevrolet SUV, expressed being saddened by the incident, which left his vehicle extensively damaged. The 50-year-old, who resides in an apartment above the accident scene, said his vehicle crashed through the estate agency’s facade on being rammed into at the rear. “I want the police to investigate the matter and track down the perpetrator so that he can be held accountable for the damage he caused,” he said.
The couple, who own the Polo Classic sedan, shared the sentiment saying they would want the driver, who “had to have been drunk”, to pay for what he has done, especially after not having the guts to face the music, the audacity to make off after checking just his vehicle for damage and since none of the owners had insurance to cover the damage.
V Anyone with more information on the incident is urged to contact Strand police on 021 854 9100.
