The R75 in Gqeberha is fast becoming one of the city’s deadliest roads after a spate of recent accidents claimed four lives in just over a week.
DEADLY R75 CRASHES
On Saturday morning, 26 April, a pedestrian was hit by an Isuzu while crossing the R75 near Despatch. According to a SAPS media statement, the woman was rushed to the hospital. She later died from her injuries. Police have opened a culpable homicide case and are investigating.
Just hours earlier, on Friday night, 25 April, a devastating head-on collision on the same road killed two drivers instantly. A grey Hyundai and a silver Suzuki crashed near the Bayland intersection at around 23:20. The victims were aged 62 and 52.
One of the drivers was identified as long-serving Nelson Mandela Bay councillor, Johnny Arends.
According to a media statement released by the DA, Arends was elected as a DA councillor in 2011 and was a party stalwart.
“He was a steadfast presence, passionate, resilient, and caring, with an unwavering work ethic in his service to the people of Ward 34, which he served as ward councillor.”
GQEBERHA PEDESTRIAN HIT ON R75
These latest incidents follow a fatal crash on 17 April at the intersection of the R75 and Johnson Road in Zwide. A maroon Renault Kwid overturned, crashed through a school fence, and hit a pedestrian.
The unidentified man, believed to be between 55 and 60, died at the scene. Police are still appealing to the public for help identifying him.
What more do you think should be done to improve road safety?
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