Driver in collision ‘was on cellphone’

A MAN was arrested after a taxi driver died and 15 people were injured in a collision near Odendaalsrus in the Free State yesterday morning.

“According to witnesses, the driver of a BMW was travelling from Allanridge towards the direction of Odendaalsrus, while a white taxi was travelling from Odendaalsrus taxi rank towards Klerksdorp,” Captain Stephen Thakeng said.

“Apparently the driver of a BMW was talking on his cellphone, and lost control of the vehicle, veering into the path of the oncoming taxi.”

The vehicles collided and the taxi driver died at the scene. His 15 passengers were injured and taken to two Welkom hospitals. The driver of the BMW, who wasn’t injured, did not have a valid driver’s licence.

He was arrested at the scene, charged with culpable homicide and will appear in the Odendaalsrus Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. – Sapa