Drunk driver crashes into police officers and bystanders in Soweto

Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers were responding to an accident and directing traffic in Soweto when a drunk driver ploughed into them.

According to JMPD acting chief Angie Mokasi, the ghastly accident involved one reckless drunk driver, three of her officers, and two kind-hearted bystanders.

Drunk driver careens into JMPD

The Rea Vaya Unit officers were managing traffic at Eben Cuyler Drive and Soweto Highway in Noordgesig on Friday evening when their routine task to a horrifying turn.

A suspected drunk driver in his Kia Sportage crashed into the officers – Tarquine Marks, Lebogang Makungo, and Tsakane Sambo – who were lending a hand at the accident scene.

Urgent medical attention

The officers and civilians, all seriously injured, were rushed to nearby hospitals.

Milpark Hospital received the officers, while Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital cared for the civilians.

Officer Sambo has since been discharged but Officers Marks and Makungo remain in hospital, where they’re in stable condition.

Justice to be served

The offending motorist didn’t get far. Mokasi said the drunk driver was promptly arrested and detained at the Diepkloof police station.

He will be facing charges of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Reckless and Negligent Driving and will appear before the Orlando West court on Monday, 29 May 2023.

Mokasi said: “We continuously warn motorists about the dangers of drunken driving and its detrimental consequences.

“This motorist must face the full might of the law, and we wish our officers and the two members of the public who were assisting a quick recovery.”