UPDATE: Fatal accident in Mulbarton

According to JMPD (Johnnesburg Metro Police Department), the 23-year-old driver of the vehicle was taken to Mulbarton Hospital for minor injuries. A case of culpable homicide has been opened against him.

A PEDESTRIAN was killed on True North Road, Mulbarton, on Thursday morning, March 30, at about 6.10am, after a light motor vehicle hit her.

Netcare 911 received a dispatch call at 6.20am and were on the scene minutes later. According to the paramedics, the deceased was not carrying any identification, so no next of kin could be notified.

The woman is an African, in her late 40s or early 50s, of medium height and slightly overweight. If anyone can identify the deceased, please contact the CPF emergency telephone number 076 898 8011. The CPF sends condolences to the bereaved.

According to JMPD (Johnnesburg Metro Police Department), the 23-year-old driver of the vehicle was taken to Netcare Mulbarton Hospital for minor injuries. A case of culpable homicide has been opened against him.

ALSO READ: BREAKING NEWS: Woman knocked and killed by car in Mulbarton

History of True North Road

True North Road has seen fatalities before, and residents in the area have been calling for traffic calming measures for many years. One resident who lives on True North Road said, “You have to live here to understand the speed people are travelling at. I am amazed more accidents don’t happen. When I slow down to turn into my driveway, even when I’ve indicated I’m doing so, drivers blow their horns at me, as though I am in the wrong!”

Another resident said, “There aren’t many drivers who stick to 60km/h, apart from when it is peak hours and then they have to abide by the speed limit. Early mornings and evenings cars race up and down this road. We’ve been told because it’s a main arterial road and a bus route, no traffic calming measures can be implemented.”

On June 30, 2014 a petition with over 200 signatures, which were collected from concerned Mulbarton residents and business owners, requesting traffic calming measures be implemented on True North Road, was handed over to the then DA Ward 23 councillor, Paul Smit. He submitted it to the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) to ensure that action was taken to implement safety measures as soon as possible.

Traffic is especially heavy at peak hours, as the stretch of True North Road between Saron/ South roads and The Broads services three nursery schools and three schools. Parents from the schools have been wanting traffic calming measures to be implemented for years.

Netcare Mulbarton Hospital is also situated on True North Road, as well as a shopping centre and an illegal taxi rank.

The young woman’s car after the accident in 2015, in True North Road, Mulbarton. * Supplied by ER24.

Residents strongly believe some form of traffic calming measure needs to be implemented here as a matter of urgency. Drivers entering True North Road have to take tremendous risks but what is more of a concern is that young children have to cross True North on their way to school.

“Getting across True North Road at The Broads, or any of the adjoining roads, is an absolute nightmare in the morning as well as later in the day when school finishes. You have to take a huge chance and just go, or else you’d be stuck there for ages – it’s very dangerous,” said a parent of a child at Glenvista High School.

On October 11, 2015 a 24-year-old woman was killed after her vehicle hit a tree on True North Road at about 5am. According to ER24 spokesperson, Werner Vermaak, “Shortly before 6am paramedics arrived on scene and found a BMW against a tree on the side of the road. Upon further assessment they found a woman in the driver seat. She had severe injuries and later died in hospital. It was not clear what caused the collision.

A Facebook user commented: “We need speed bumps on True North Road; peoples’ (taxi drivers and residents alike) total lack of respect for fellow drivers and pedestrians have made this road a death trap.

I live on True North and every day there is someone that thinks that road is a drag strip. I saw the car that hit the pedestrian this morning. The driver must have been going very fast to cause that much damage to the car. RIP and condolences to the loved ones left behind!”

JMPD (Johnnesburg Metro Police Department) has been asked for comment.