HUMEWOOD - MAN APPEARS IN COURT FOR HIT & RUN ACCIDENT INVOLVING 2 SCHOOL GIRLS

A 27-year-old driver who allegedly knocked down two teenage school girls, leaving one dead and the other with critical injuries, while under the influence of alcohol, made a brief appearance in the Port Elizabeth magistrate’s court on Tuesday.

William Taute faces charges which include culpable homicide, attempted murder, reckless or negligent driving, driving under the influence of liquor and failure to immediately stop after an accident.

Defence attorney Ryno Scholtz previously indicated that his client intended to plead not guilty to the charges against him.

Following the incident in April, Jaydene Lucas, 16, was taken to Livingstone Hospital where she was immediately put on life support, but the machines were subsequently switched off and she died.

Her friend, Lorren Abrahams, 20 was reportedly in a critical condition.

The girls were on their way to Navy Cadette training and were accompanied by other friends while walking near the Humewood intersection.

State Prosecutor Timothy Van Rooyen previously indicated in court that Taute allegedly jumped a red robot, refused to stop at the scene of the accident and also overtook other stationery cars.

The case was postponed until June 10 for further investigation.

Taute, who was granted bail of R5 000 in March, lives on a family farm in Vryburg in the North West.

African News Agency