Boy hit by ‘drag-racing’ car

A thirteen-year-old boy is fighting for his life in the intensive care unit at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital after he was seriously injured in a hit-and-run accident on Albertina Sisulu Road.

Liam Scheepers (13) of Bosmont has a number of serious injuries including bleeding on the brain, swelling of his head, a broken pelvic bone, serious damage to his stomach and impact to the chest that makes it difficult for him to breathe. His uncle, Darian Scheepers said the doctors told the family that Liam will need plastic surgery due to the severity of the injuries he sustained in the accident.

In the meantime, the Police have asked the public to contact them with information that will help them trace the suspects who caused the accident.

His grandmother, Zelda, said different witnesses, including people who work at the surrounding businesses, who saw the hit-and-run incident, told them what happened.

Just before 3pm on Saturday, Liam, who is an animal lover, was on his way to pick up a dog with a friend when he was hit by a car. “The witnesses told us there were two cars on the scene.

They said two Volkswagen Citi Golfs – a white and a green one – were drag racing,” said Darian. The witnesses said the green Golf hit Liam.

According to another witness, who was coincidentally driving past the scene at the time, Liam flew from one side of the road to the other after being hit.

Witnesses acted swiftly and called the paramedics and the Bosmont Community Patrol (BCP), who managed to track Liam’s family down. Darian said the paramedics took about an hour to perform life support on Liam at the scene. He was then transported to the hospital. Grandma Zelda said that they tried to take him off life support but he could not breathe on his own. “It has been six days now and he is still in ICU, but the doctors are seeing some progress,” she said.

“I’m just missing my boy,” said Liam’s father, Branwynn. “I wish the people will just come forward and take responsibility for what they have done.” He said that he is hurting and he would not wish this pain on any parent.

Grandma Zelda said the family has been very supportive. Liam’s friends from school have been calling and the community has been very helpful as well. “Thank you for all the support,” she said. Liam’s mother Carleen, who was not present during the interview, was dealing with the trauma of the incident.

“We are asking anyone with information to please come forward,” said Zelda. She said Liam is a sweet, animal-loving and church-going boy. It hurts the family to know that the people who are responsible, are still at large.

Sophiatown Police Corporate Communications officer, Lieutenant Colonel Julia Claassen said a case of reckless and negligent driving has been opened. She confirmed that a green Volkswagen Citi Golf hit the boy, but added that there are an unknown number of suspects. She could not confirm whether there were two cars and if they were racing.

“We are urging anyone with information to call the Sophiatown Police on 011 670 6300 or the crime stop number on 086 001 0111,” said Lt Col Claassen.

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