BLOEMFONTEIN – A 47-year-old Free State police sergeant was killed in a collision involving a police convoy and a Toyota Quantum on the N8 National Road near Sannaspos in the early hours of Saturday, 12 September.
The officer was responding to a complaint when the crash occurred at approximately 02:45.
Police convoy involved in head-on collision
According to the office of the Free State Provincial Commissioner, members at Bloemspruit Community Service Centre received a complaint and dispatched patrol vehicles to attend.
Two additional police vehicles, one from Kopanong Police Station and another from Heidedal Police Station, joined the response as backup.
The four police vehicles were travelling in convoy along the N8 in an easterly direction when a white Toyota Quantum allegedly approached from the opposite direction, travelling from Botshabelo towards Bloemfontein.
Police said the Quantum was allegedly being driven recklessly and crossed out of its lane, striking the right rear-view mirror of the first police vehicle.
The driver of the second police vehicle reportedly took evasive action to avoid the oncoming vehicle. However, the Quantum and the third police vehicle collided head-on.
Sergeant declared dead at scene
Road Incident Management System (RIMS) roleplayers were summoned to the scene.
Paramedics declared the 47-year-old sergeant, who was driving the third police vehicle, dead at the scene.
A second police sergeant who was travelling in the same vehicle was injured and rushed to hospital. The 34-year-old driver of the Toyota Quantum was also taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Provincial commissioner mourns officer
Free State Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia expressed his deep sadness 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. 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,” said Lesia.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, colleagues and friends of the deceased sergeant during this extremely difficult time. We extend our sincere wishes for a speedy recovery to the member who sustained injuries in the collision,” he added.
Culpable homicide investigation underway
A case of culpable homicide has been registered and is under investigation.
The circumstances surrounding the collision, including the alleged driving conduct of the Quantum, will form part of the investigation.
ALSO READ: Accident on N8 claims lives, closes Bloemfontein-bound lanes
