Car battery that killed woman on N3 was not thrown from a bridge, says SAPS

A Westville SAPS detective has discovered that the car battery that hit an elderly woman on the N3 near Pavilion was not thrown from a bridge but flew from a car that was involved in an accident on the opposite side of the road.

The incident, which happened on September 29, claimed the life of Madhumathie Bunwarie (62) who was on her way back to Pietermaritzburg after attending a funeral in Phoenix.

The initial reports alleged that a car battery was thrown from a bridge, smashed the windscreen and landed on her face, killing her.

Captain Elizabeth Squires, Westville SAPS Communications Officer, said the new information was brought forward by a person who said he witnessed the incident.

“After a case of culpable homicide was opened, the docket was given to our detective for investigation. Through the power and channels of journalists and social media, a witness contacted the investigating officer and informed him that he witnessed the incident.

“The witness indicated that he was travelling in the same direction but was in front of the family. The witness said a serious accident had just occurred on the opposite side of the road, and that due to the impact of the accident, the battery was flown from the vehicle, narrowly missing the witness but unfortunately hit the car behind him,” reported Squires.

According to the communications officer, the detective contacted all the neighbouring stations to establish if any accident had been reported, but unfortunately, no reports had been made.

“He then decided to engage with the tow trucks that normally stand off in the vicinity of the accident. He was successful in locating the driver of the breakdown service that towed the vehicle away.

“He was informed that the injured occupant was taken to hospital for treatment. The detective has made contact with the family of the injured person, and it has been established that the driver is in a critical condition in a local hospital,” said Squires.