Culpable homicide charges against M4 taxi driver withdrawn
The driver was allegedly involved in the death of Redhill resident Craig Diedericks who died in January this year while cycling on the highway. According to police, the charges can be reinstated once pending investigations are complete.
THE culpable homicide charges against a taxi driver for the death of Craig Diedericks (52) have been provisionally withdrawn at the Verulam Magistrate’s Court. The driver made his second court appearance on Monday.
Diedericks was part of a group of cyclists from the Cycle Specialists Cycling Club on a group ride on the M4 near the eMdloti off-ramp when a minibus taxi allegedly drove into them.
The Redhill resident later died in hospital from the severity of his injuries, while two other cyclists suffered minor injuries.
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According to his teammate and Durban North resident, Aroon Patel, the charges were withdrawn pending outstanding investigations.
Patel and several members of the club were present at the court to show their support for the Diedricks family. Members of the South Africans Against Drunk Driving (SADD) were also in attendance.
“We were told the charges were provisionally withdrawn because the post mortem report hadn’t been completed. In order for the case to go on the court has to ascertain what the cause of death was. The magistrate added the case investigation was also incomplete and it was decided the case would be withdrawn. It’s deeply frustrating for all of us but we acknowledge it is only a temporary setback. I’m bouyed by the support from Caro Smith of SADD and my fellow teammates who were here today to show support to Craig’s family and friends,” he said.
According to police, the charges can be reinstated once pending investigations are complete.
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