Police have once again appealed to eyewitnesses to come forward with information about an accident in which a 38-year-old woman was killed last month.
The family of Meshayé Wichman, 38, are also hoping to get answers as the rest of the family, who were involved in the accident, are still recovering.
Ms Wichman and her husband Francios, 39, had been asked to fetch her cousin’s wife and children from an event on Saturday March 26 and were on their way back to Retreat in their VW Microbus when they were struck by a Toyota RunX and another car at the intersection of Lake Road and Fifth Avenue at about 11pm.
Meshayé’s sister Quanita Wichman believes she was flung from the Microbus and confirmed that she sustained severe head injuries. She died in hospital the following morning after she was declared brain dead. “Her husband Francois sustained a neck fracture, my cousin’s wife had a spinal fracture and the twins, 7, who were in the car both had surgeries at Victoria Hospital.”
Meshayé was buried on Monday April 4.
Quanita appealed to anyone who witnessed the accident to come forward with information that could lead to the arrest of those in the RunX and the other car which they believe were drag racing.
“One person was arrested but the other two people who were in the car are still out there as well as the other car that was drag racing. Anyone with information please contact us because we need answers and we need those responsible to answer for what they have done and to get closure.”
At the time of the accident Grassy Park police spokesperson Captain Wynita Kleinsmith said the initial case of reckless and negligent driving had been escalated to a culpable homicide case and one person had been taken in for questioning.
“We are still investigating the case but anyone with information can come forward as it would be much appreciated.”
After reviewing video footage of the incident, Grassy Park police station commander Colonel Dawood Laing has made a renewed appeal for eyewitnesses to come forward.
“We have statements but they are very vague. We need eyewitnesses who can to please come forward or for anyone who might have more video footage to please come forward,” he said.
Colonel Laing also confirmed to the Southern Mail that the RunX driver ran from the scene. “When police searched for the owner of the car he claimed the car had been stolen before the accident. So we need eyewitness statements that can prove the suspect was on the scene.”
Anyone with information can call Quanita on 076 877 7888, the Grassy Park police station on 021 700 3900/3902 or crime stop on 08600 10111.