JEFFREYS BAY – Police in Jeffreys Bay have opened a case of reckless and negligent driving with a second count of drunk driving following a motor vehicle accident involving an 83-year-old pedestrian on 23 May.

According to police spokesperson Captain Marius McCarthy, it is alleged that the victim was walking over a pedestrian crossing in Nautilus Street, Jeffreys Bay, at about 16:55 when a white VW Polo drove over the stop sign and hit him.

He said that it is further alleged that a member of a private security company witnessed the incident from his rear-view mirror, made a U-turn, stopped the suspect’s vehicle and summoned the police to the scene.

“Upon arrival, police found that the 31-year-old male driver of the white VW Polo was under the influence of alcohol,” said McCarthy.

He said that the driver was arrested and is due to appear before the Humansdorp Magistrate’s Court soon, while the pedestrian was taken to Humansdorp Hospital for medical treatment.

While SAPS was unable to confirm the victim’s name, Kouga Express previously reported on social media being abuzz following the incident on 23 May, with posts naming well-known Jeffreys Bay businessman Pirow Viljoen as the victim.

According to multiple social media posts, Viljoen was allegedly hit by a drunk driver while walking his dog.

It was further alleged that he was in a coma with severe brain injuries following the incident.

Viljoen is known in the Jeffreys Bay community as a former owner of Wimpy and Mugg & Bean franchises.

He has also been actively involved with the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB).

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