Amanzimtoti crash victim issues drunk driving alert as car rear-ends her, drives off
On being breathalyzed, it was confirmed that the runaway driver was indeed drunk.
A VICTIM of a hit and attempted run warns the public of the extreme caution that needs to be taken this festive season.
The Toti woman’s ‘quick errand’ ended up consisting of her chasing down a drunk driver who had rear-ended her car on Saturday night, 2 December and attempted to flee the scene.
“I hope that by sharing my experience I can raise awareness about driving under the influence of alcohol,” said the woman, who wishes to remain unnamed. “Apart from this being the ‘silly’ season, in general people need to be more aware of their actions.”
On Saturday 2 December around 9.15pm, the driver of a branded vehicle rear-ended the woman’s stationary car as she was indicating her intention to turn right from Kingsway Road into Link Road, Amanzimtoti.
“Before allowing me time to exit my vehicle, the driver drove north, away from the scene of the accident,” she explained. “I proceeded to chase him as I had not seen his number plate. I chased him a good distance away down Kingsway Road, past the Caltex garage. At this point, I managed to catch up to and block his way to go north, in the hope that he would be forced to exchange his details with me, so that I could then report the accident.”
The driver instead made a U-turn and headed south, turned left and headed towards Pipeline Beach. The woman continued to follow him until they reached a stop street where another car allowed her to block his way.
“Eventually he stumbled out of the vehicle, reeking of alcohol,” she explained. “He was barefoot and incoherent, denying that he drove away from the scene of the accident but unable to explain why he was now at this stop street.”
Read also: How much can you drink before getting behind the wheel this festive season?
The woman then removed the driver’s car keys, as she judged that he was not to be trusted behind the wheel again.
“Thankfully, Chubb Security was traveling past and I flagged them down to ask for assistance. The security contacted Metro Police to assist me.”
On being breathalyzed, it was confirmed that the runaway driver was indeed drunk. That night both parties proceeded to Amanzimtoti police station to open a case. The driver was detained until his bail could be paid. The driver’s company agreed to cover the cost of the repairs to the vehicle.
“As I was later informed, the driver was dealt with in accordance with their company proceedings. They have more than once assured me this is not behaviour they condone,” she said.
The incredibly stressful and scary situation left the affected woman begging those behind the wheel, passenger of a vehicle and pedestrians to remember, not only this festive season but all year round, what a danger driving under the influence poses.
“It is unfair that my life and my possessions should be put at risk on an innocent drive to complete an errand,” she said. “I am fortunate to have come out of the experience with minimal damage and no relative injuries, as many others don’t.”
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