More clarity on Wilgerood truck accident
Driver of car hit by truck gives his side of the story.
The driver of the Mazda 3 that was involved in a near tragic accident on Ruhama Road, Deon Engelbrecht (51), contacted the Record to explain what he experienced on 17 August.
According to Engelbrecht he was driving up Ruhama Road when he saw that the truck speeding towards him was out of control. He saw the truck “take out the traffic lights on the right-hand side” and realised that it would not be able to come to a standstill on the wide strip of grass bordering Laerskool Helderkruin.
“The truck then swerved to my side of the road and I had to shoot into the lane for oncoming traffic. The truck again changed direction and as I swerved back into my lane to avoid him he crashed into the back of my car and dragged us for metres. The wheel that onlookers saw lying underneath the truck when it finally came to a standstill belonged to my vehicle,” says Engelbrecht.
“I felt like assaulting the truck driver but luckily the SAPS were on the scene immediately. What really frightened me was the fact that my wife gave our two grandchildren the option of going with me, but the children did not feel like it. If they were in the backseat of the car where the impact was, there could have been a tragedy, ” says a relieved Engelbrecht.
Engelbrecht who is a diesel mechanic says there were no signs of the truck braking, and he believes that the truck’s brakes must have failed.
Engelbrecht who cancelled his insurance just shortly before the accident had to open a case at the Roodepoort Police Station hoping that the other party would replace his vehicle that was written off. According to Engelbrecht a case of reckless driving also was opened against the driver at the same police station.
