Three arrested after alleged street race ends in N1 patrol-vehicle crash - IOL

The road closure had been clearly marked with cones and blue lights when the driver of a BMW M40 allegedly drove through the cones.

A suspected street race from the Cape Town CBD ended with a Mercedes crashing into a stationary City of Cape Town patrol vehicle while officers were attending to an accident on the N1.

Three motorists were arrested following the alleged race early on Saturday, while a fourth driver was arrested two hours later after allegedly driving drunk through a road closure at the same accident scene.

Mayco member for Safety and Security JP Smith said the first incident unfolded at about 3am when the City’s Highway Unit was attending to a truck accident on the N1 outbound near the Koeberg Interchange.

CCTV operators identified three vehicles allegedly racing from the CBD along FW de Klerk Boulevard.

One of the vehicles, a Mercedes-Benz, subsequently crashed into a stationary Highway Patrol vehicle at the truck accident scene, causing significant damage.

All three vehicles were identified through CCTV and the drivers were arrested.

The Mercedes driver was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving and illegal street racing.

The drivers of two GTIs were arrested for reckless driving and illegal street racing.

All three vehicles were towed and impounded. The cases are being processed at Maitland police station, with the City’s Safety and Security Investigation Unit assisting SAPS detectives.

But officers encountered another allegedly drunk driver at the scene about two hours later.

At around 5am, the Highway Unit temporarily closed the road to allow the truck to be recovered and diverted traffic through Paarden Eiland.

Smith said the closure had been clearly marked with cones and blue lights when the driver of a BMW M40 allegedly drove through the cones.

The driver was found to be under the influence of alcohol and was arrested for driving under the influence and reckless or negligent driving.

No vehicles were damaged and nobody was injured in that incident. The BMW was also impounded.

Smith said Traffic Services would continue using technology to identify dangerous driving.

“Traffic Services will continue using CCTV, drones, vehicle dash cameras, body-worn cameras and other available technology to identify dangerous and unlawful driving behaviour.”

He said evidence obtained would be used to support prosecutions.