The man accused of causing the tragic accident, which resulted in the deaths of two children and a woman, along with serious injuries to three other people, has returned to the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on November 9.
The accident happened between ERPM Golf Club and the intersection of Main Reef and Pretoria roads at about 9pm on May 22, 2015.
The accused reportedly bumped his vehicle into his ex-girlfriend’s green BMW, pushing it into oncoming traffic.
The BMW then collided with an oncoming Toyota Auris, resulting in the triple deaths and injuries.
The ex-girlfriend, Sharbone Lance, driving the BMW, was travelling with her two children Shaquille and Jayden on their way to visit their family in Reiger Park.
The mother and one of her children, Jayden, succumbed to the injuries suffered in the head-on collision.
In the Toyota Auris was a Witfield couple, Danie and Nicola Terblanche and their two-and-a-half year-old son Scott, on their way home.
Their child was critically injured and subsequently died in hospital. The mother sustained multiple fractured ribs and a broken foot, while her husband escaped with only minor bruises.
The accused apparently failed to stop after the accident and drove to Reiger Park. A manhunt was launched and the suspect was reportedly arrested in Eldorado Park within 48 hours after the incident.
He spent a few months in custody while attending the court proceedings.
Read original story:
Suspect charged in connection with horrific crash
Woman, child (3) killed in Boksburg collision
“To the surprise of the families of the victims, the matter was later struck off the court roll, and thus the accused was set free,” said Arthur Lance, the father of Sharbone who was killed in the accident.
“We were told there was not enough evidence to continue with the case.”
After further investigation, the accused was later rearrested. He is now facing three charges of murder and additional charges of culpable homicide and a charge of contravening the Road Traffic Act.
Dressed in a blue golf T-shirt, black pants, black sneakers and a blue cap, the accused maintained some semblance of calm in the court, ignoring the families who were showing signs of strong emotions while watching the proceedings from the court gallery.
During the visit to the crime scene, the accused pointed out the scene to the panel of court officials, including the magistrate, as well as the spot where his vehicle crashed into the BMW, resulting in the tragic deaths.
He said the BMW was driving in front of his vehicle towards the traffic light at the intersection of Main Reef and Pretoria roads.
He explained that as he was driving behind his ex-girlfriend’s BMW, her car started to slow down as it was approaching the painted and raised islands before his vehicle bumped into it.
The panel and the accused then returned to the court where the accused was cross-examined by the State. The matter was postponed to November 23.
Both families of the victims said although nothing will bring their loved ones back, it now feels better to see that the suspect was rearrested and brought back to court to answer for the offences.
“It’s been more than three years waiting for this matter to be finalised. What is happening at the court now gives us hope that the perpetrator will receive the punishment he deserves.
“We are still devastated by what happened and we have to deal with the pain of losing our son in a tragic incident, but seeing the perpetrator receiving punishment will help us to find closure,” said Scott’s mother, Nicola Terblanche.
The family of Sharbone and the little two boys, Shaquille and Jayden, said they are convinced that the ex-boyfriend used his car as a weapon to kill their loved ones and for that reason he deserves a hefty sentence.
“Although we had to fight for the suspect to be brought back to court, we are now happy with the way the matter is being handled by the court. There is now hope that justice will be served,” said Lance.
Follow us:
For more #hyperlocal news at your fingertips, visit Benoni City Times, Springs Advertiser, Brakpan Herald, African Reporter and Kathorus Mail.
