Free State police sergeant killed in head-on crash on N8 - IOL

An on-duty police sergeant died after a police vehicle collided head-on with a Toyota Quantum on the N8 near Sannaspos in the Free State.

A police sergeant was killed, and another officer was left fighting for their life after a horrific head-on collision outside Bloemfontein early Saturday morning.

The officers were rushing to respond to an emergency call when their patrol vehicle crashed into a Toyota Quantum.

The 47-year-old sergeant died at the scene of the crash on the N8 near Sannaspos, while his colleague and the 34-year-old driver of the Quantum were taken to hospital with injuries.

Police have opened a case of culpable homicide.

Free State police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Covane said officers from the Bloemspruit Community Service Centre were dispatched to attend to a complaint early on Saturday, September 12.

Police vehicles from Kopanong and Heidedal police stations joined the response as backup.

At about 2.45am, four police vehicles were travelling in convoy along the N8 near Sannaspos in an easterly direction when a white Toyota Quantum allegedly approached from the opposite direction.

“It is alleged that a White Toyota Quantum approached the convoy driving recklessly from Botshabelo to Bloemfontein direction,” Covane said.

Police allege the Quantum crossed out of its lane and struck the right rear-view mirror of the first police vehicle.

The driver of the second police vehicle swerved to avoid the oncoming Quantum, but the minibus subsequently collided head-on with the third police vehicle in the convoy.

Emergency and road incident management teams were called to the crash scene.

“Unfortunately, the 47-year-old sergeant who was driving the third police motor vehicle was declared deceased on the scene by paramedics,” Covane said.

Another sergeant travelling in the police vehicle was taken to hospital with injuries. The Quantum driver was also hospitalised.

Police have not disclosed the identity of the officer who died.

Free State Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia expressed his condolences to the officer’s family, colleagues and friends.

“It is with profound sadness that we mourn the loss of one of our members who lost his life while performing his duty and responding to a complaint,” Lesia said.

“This is a painful reminder of the risks that police officers face every day in the execution of their responsibilities and their commitment to protecting the communities they serve.”

Lesia also wished the injured officer a speedy recovery.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, colleagues and friends of the deceased Sergeant during this extremely difficult time.”