Pinetown Trucker Mass Crash 27 Dead

[deanmine]

A speeding truck driver plowed through an intersection in South Africa Thursday evening, hitting multiple vehicles and taxis that were responding to a green light.

South African authorities reported that the death toll in the Pinetown accident rose to 27 overnight, according to the Associated Press. At least 80 people were reportedly injured in the crash.

In the wake of the tragedy, video footage of the multiple-vehicle accident emerged on eNews Channel Africa. The first-hand video of the Pinetown accident (seen below) appears to have been filmed by a dashboard camera in a vehicle that was approaching the intersection before the crash.

In the graphic footage, vehicles are seen crossing into the middle of the intersection after the traffic light turns green. Moments later, a large semi-truck crashes into the automobiles, thrusting them out of view.

Officials are still investigating the cause of the crash, but a KwaZulu-Natal Road Traffic Inspectorate spokeswoman revealed a failure of the truck's brakes may be a factor.

According to local reports, the 23-year-old male driver of the truck was arrested shortly after the incident and faces charges for the multiple deaths. Another traffic inspectorate official said that the truck owner's license had expired, South Africa's Independent Online reports.

"He has been charged with culpable homicide, and reckless and negligent driving," Colonel Vincent Mdunge said, according to News24.

South Africa's acting president, Jeff Radebe, released a statement Friday, expressing his grief over the accident and urging others to drive safely.

The loss of such a high number of people, some of them breadwinners is painful and has affected so many households negatively. We urge road users especially drivers to exercise caution on the roads especially when carrying passengers.

We extend our deepest condolences to the families and relatives of the deceased and wish those in hospital a speedy recovery.

Originally Posted by minka1

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Ne...years-20141128

Pinetown crash driver jailed for 8 years
2014-11-28 12:45

Durban - Sanele Goodness May, whose truck ploughed into six vehicles at a busy Durban intersection last year, killing 24 people, will spend the next eight years and 10 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to 31 charges in the KwaZulu-Natal High Court on Friday.

However, with good behaviour he could be released in six years.

The charges were read out to him in Zulu and through an interpreter he told Judge Kate Pillay: "I admit all the charges."

The Swazi national pleaded guilty to 24 counts of culpable homicide, two charges of fraud, one charge of entering South Africa illegally, two charges of being in possession of fake driver's licences, one charge of operating a vehicle without a valid professional driving permit, and one charge of failing to comply with a road traffic sign.

Horror crash

On the evening of 5 September last year, in rush-hour traffic, May's truck smashed into four minibus taxis and two cars at an intersection at the bottom of Fields Hill in Pinetown.

Twenty-two people died at the scene. Two died later in hospital.

May has been in custody ever since. He was previously denied bail by the Pinetown Magistrate's Court.

Initially, he was charged with 24 counts of murder, but this was changed to 24 culpable homicide charges.

15 years for each culpable homicide conviction

He was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment for each of the culpable homicide convictions, with five years suspended.

He was also sentenced to one year for violating the immigration laws and four years for each of the traffic and licence violations.

All the sentences are to run concurrently and the 14 months May has been in custody were taken into account.

"The effective sentence is one of eight years and 10 months. With good behaviour that could be reduced by a third or more," said Pillay.

Remorseful

She said she believed May was remorseful and had "demonstrated contrition for his actions".

May's efforts to secure employment without a valid licence had "set a chain of events in motion that were tragic" despite his "noble intentions" to support his younger brother in Swaziland.

"The accused too did not emerge unscathed. He has had to sit in jail more than a year awaiting his fate."

Avoiding paying toll fees

Pillay said the court took notice of the fact that drivers used Fields Hill to avoid paying toll fees.

The accident highlighted the need for truck owners to verify the details and licences presented to them by prospective employees.

She urged traffic authorities to step up their policing on Fields Hill.

In his plea agreement, read into the record by his advocate Louis Barnard, May admitted he knew his driving permits were not legitimate and he had misrepresented to his employer Sagekal Logistics that they were valid.

Failed initial driving test

It also emerged from the agreement that May had failed an initial driving test with the company two weeks prior to his employment on 2 September 2013.

The fateful trip during which he lost control of his vehicle down Fields Hill was his first for the company.

He had taken a load up to Johannesburg and it was on his return trip to Durban that he lost control of the truck.

May kept his head down when press photographers tried to take pictures of him before he entered the dock.

On entering the dock a small group of supporters waved to him.

As he left the dock after being sentenced a woman shouted from the public gallery: "We love you Sanele."

[deanmine]

Truck%20owner%20says%20Pinetown%20driver%20to%20blame%20for%20accident.mp4

vid didnt work... 2nd try

igiveup

[kellyhound]

damn what a carnage.

[Shakey]

This happened in central Florida several years ago. Guy tried to say his brakes failed too. Bullshit.

[P4Pking-1]

They're not designed for driving trucks and heavy goods vehicles. They were made for labour and picking fruit and cotton of trees. I wouldn't use a 1700s combine harvester to transport goods so what they expect using obsolete farm equipment to drive it.

[vagabond]

Great stuff!

[**butterflylove**]

Have seen this before on a crash channel on YouTube, it still ranks up there as one of the most brutal crashes I have seen to date. Poor buggers didn't see it coming, didn't have a chance

[minka1]

Damn. Tragic. 27 dead. 80+ injured. Wouldn't be surprised if he ends up committing suicide. Tragic and sad all around. So sorry for all of hem. :(..

[Sypher209]

I bet the driver of the dash cam car shat through their pants!

[FunkPumpkin]

One of the most brutal crash vids I've seen in recent memory.