Staff Reporter
THE Namibian Police are urging motorists to obey speed limits, avoid alcohol, and remain at the scene of an accident, since leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal offence under Namibian law.
The police appeal comes after several road accidents were reported across the country over the weekend, with police recording cases of reckless driving, drunk driving, hit-and-run, and unlicensed driving.
A motorcyclist, 46-year-old Justin Edwin Jenkins, died and dozens of people were injured in separate road accidents.
Jenkins died on Saturday evening after his motorcycle crashed into a Hyundai truck on the B2 road before the T-junction to Kuisebmund in Walvis Bay.
According to police, the motorbike was heading toward Long Beach when it overtook a vehicle in front, lost control, and collided with a truck travelling in the same direction. Jenkins succumbed to his injuries. His body was taken to the Walvis Bay mortuary for a post-mortem, and next of kin were informed.
The Hyundai truck had five passengers, including the 44-year-old driver. All occupants sustained minor to serious injuries. Police opened cases of culpable homicide and reckless and negligent driving.
In a separate accident on Friday, thirteen people in a white Toyota Quantum bus and four in a white Volkswagen Polo were injured when the two vehicles collided head-on on the B2 between Usakos and Arandis.
Police said the Quantum was travelling from Usakos while the Polo was heading to Arandis when they crashed. All 17 occupants suffered minor, moderate to serious injuries and were transported to Usakos District Hospital by ambulance.
In Swakopmund, a 32-year-old Namibian man was arrested on Friday morning after a white Nissan Navara pickup allegedly hit two boys aged 13 and 14 on Daniel Khamo Street near Cashbuild in Tamariskia.
The boys sustained minor to serious injuries and were rushed to Cottage Private Hospital.
Police said the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot before being arrested. He faces charges of reckless and/or negligent driving, deserting the accident scene, and drunk driving.
Also in Swakopmund, a 27-year-old man was injured on Saturday morning after being hit by a white car on Waterberg Street near Oasis Bar and Mondesa Clinic. He was taken to hospital and is in a stable condition.
Police said the driver failed to stop, ascertain the extent of injuries or damages, or render assistance, and drove off. Charges include reckless and/or negligent driving and failure to render assistance.
Another road accident occurred near Ondangwa when a 49-year-old man overturned a white Toyota Corolla on the B1 road at Okanyothi on Friday evening. Police said the driver was travelling from Oshikango toward Ondangwa when he lost control.
The driver and two passengers sustained minor injuries and were taken to Onandjokwe Hospital. The driver faces charges of reckless and/or negligent driving and driving without a licence.
Another case of drunk driving was registered in Keetmanshoop, where the driver of a Volvo V40 sedan was arrested on Saturday afternoon after colliding with an SUV at the T-junction in front of !Homs Ai.
Police said the 0.89 mg/l breathalyser reading was more than double the legal limit of 0.37 mg/l. The driver was only in possession of a learner’s licence, while the other driver was within the legal limit and held a valid licence. No injuries were reported.
The Volvo driver was detained on charges of driving under the influence and reckless and/or negligent driving.
