Update: Driver pleads guilty in ‘Ontdekkers Police’ case
Both died in the horror accident on Ontdekkers Road when they were trapped in the burning police vehicle
26-year-old Henry Prinsloo, the driver of the BMW that crashed into a police vehicle on 16 June last year killing two officers, pleaded guilty to two counts of culpable homicide on 23 June.
Elias Thabo Dibete, 34, and Thulasizwe Skhahla, 38, both died in the horror accident on Ontdekkers Road when they were trapped in the burning police vehicle. Their colleague Constable Chris Thubakgale, 34, narrowly escaped death when a tow truck driver, Wouter Steyn, and a security officer, Marius Grobler, dragged him from the vehicle moments before it exploded.
Prinsloo pleaded guilty to two counts of culpable homicide in front of Magistrate Delise Smith. He admitted that on the fateful night he had five alcoholic drinks with friends and said he was also very tired. Prinsloo said the combination of alcohol and exhaustion made him speed (at 120km/ph) and he lost control of his vehicle.
The case has been postponed until 18 August.
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Also read:
Video and Photos: Police tragedy on Ontdekkers
Update: BMW driver in ‘Ontdekkers police’ case in court
Update: ‘Ontdekkers police’ identified
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