Intoxicated worker involved in multiple collisions, arrested in Verulam

IOL News

3 days ago

An intoxicated municipality employee's erratic driving culminated in a dramatic series of events in Temple Valley, KwaZulu-Natal, on Tuesday afternoon. The incident began around 17:43 when a concerned motorist reached out to the Operations Centre for assistance after witnessing a hit-and-run involving a white Toyota Hilux bakkie and his own silver Hyundai i10 on Ireland Street, Verulam CBD.
The motorist detailed how the Toyota Hilux, driven by a 32-year-old male, initially stopped after the collision but fled when quizzed about his sobriety. Demonstrating alarming recklessness, the driver sped off, prompting the motorist to follow the bakkie while reporting the situation to Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) for help.
As RUSA officers raced to locate the vehicle, the intoxicated driver continued to navigate the streets erratically, eventually colliding with a RUSA response vehicle — a white Toyota Fortuner — after failing to stop at a stop street in Temple Valley. Undeterred, the driver attempted yet again to escape, but was swiftly boxed in by backup officers who had arrived on the scene.
According to RUSA, upon apprehension, the driver identified himself as a plumber employed by the eThekwini Water & Sanitation Department and revealed that the bakkie was a municipal vehicle. Fortunately, the RUSA officer involved in the collision was unharmed. The intoxicated driver was subsequently arrested and handed over to the Verulam SAPS for further investigation.
This alarming incident raises significant concerns regarding road safety and the responsibility of public employees while operating municipal vehicles. Authorities are expected to investigate further, ensuring accountability for those who endanger the lives of others while under the influence.