Biker killed in hit and run
Popular student killed in bike collision
POLICE have yet to make an arrest following the hit-and-run death of a popular engineering student and model in Port Elizabeth on Sunday night.
Jean-Louis Matthee, 22, was killed at the intersection of Forest Hill and La Roche drives at about 10pm when the motorcycle he was riding collided with a Mercedes-Benz.
The driver of the car fled the scene, possibly on foot, and is wanted by police.
Two passengers, who were in the vehicle at the time, remained at the scene and were being questioned by police yesterday.
Police on the scene said Matthee’s body was unrecognisable after he was thrown several metres following the collision.
Matthee was driving along La Roche Drive when the Mercedes turned into Forest Hill Drive. The bike hit the side of the car.
Sources within the SA National Defence Force, who saw the vehicle at the scene, said the driver was well known to military members as he frequently visited the Forest Hill army base as an insurance salesman.
Matthee, originally from Pretoria, was a third-year mechanical engineering student at NMMU.
He also worked as a model for Extreme Models.
Matthee lived in Mount Pleasant with his grandparents.
His parents, who live in Mpumalanga, were driving to Port Elizabeth yesterday.
A copy of the car driver’s identity book and valuables were found in the vehicle.
Matthee’s girlfriend, Adria van der Merwe, 20, arrived on the scene soon after the accident.
“We came from having piz- za at Barney’s [on the beachfront] with friends. When they closed we all decided to go to Pool City and from there home.
“I went with a friend and arrived at Pool City when I tried to call him [Matthee], but no one answered.
“It is usual for him not to answer when he is riding his bike, but I got concerned after a while. I asked a friend if he knew where Matthee was and he then went to look for him,” she said.
A tearful Van der Merwe said: “We then got word of the accident and everyone rushed there. It was really terrible and I have been crying non-stop.”
She and Matthee had only been going out for a few weeks but had been friends for more than two years.
“I am absolutely devastated and ... you could not recognise the bike.
“I heard that they are still looking for the driver. I hope they catch him,” she said.
Humewood police station commander Brigadier Ronald Koll confirmed that the driver was wanted by police for fleeing the scene.
“The passengers in the vehicle have stated that the driver fled the scene.
“The matter is, however, under investigation and further statements must be attained to confirm who the driver was,” he said.
“At this stage the matter is a hit-and-run and has been allocated to detectives to investigate. Additional charges will also be brought against the driver once he is arrested.”
By last night no arrest had been made.
Extreme Models owner Verushka Barnard, a former Miss Port Elizabeth finalist, said they were devastated by the accident.
“We are all in shock and very traumatised. He was an extremely talented model and had already won several competitions.
“Everyone knew him because he was just one of those kind, humble and helpful guys that everyone loved.
“He was just such a nice guy with endless potential. It is just so sad to see someone’s life cut so short like this,” Barnard said.
‘ We then got word of the accident and everyone rushed there. It was really terrible