Truck driver nabbed for N1 crash that killed 13 near Verkeerdevlei

A 47-year-old truck driver has been arrested following a crash which claimed the lives of 13 people on the N1 near Verkeerdevlei Toll Plaza from Winburg side on Monday morning.

Police say the driver lost control of the truck and, as a result, it collided with an oncoming minibus taxi fully loaded with passengers.

Initial reports suggested that 11 people had died but after emergency personnel tipped over the overturned taxi they discovered two more bodies bringing the death toll to 13.

Free State EMS spokesperson, Sipho Towa: “On arrival of the crews, they found a truck and a taxi collided head-on. Thirteen people have been declared dead on the scene, unfortunately – seven males, two females and four kids. Three people were then rushed to the hospital at Pelonomi Trauma Unit in Bloemfontein.”

“The driver of the taxi is amongst the 13 people who died and the driver of the truck is alive a case of culpable homicide has been opened, and we would love to send a message to all road users out there that they please respect the rules of the road,” says Free State Police, Roads and Transport spokesperson Hillary Mophethe.

“Schools will be closing as well and people will be travelling a Free State is at the centre so numerous people will be crossing through the Free State,” Mophethe added.

According to police spokesperson, Stephen Thakeng, the minibus involved in the fatal collision with the truck was travelling from Johannesburg in Gauteng to Sterkspruit in the Eastern Cape.