The driver who allegedly killed a child and her nanny in a hit and run incident has handed himself over to police.
The 24-year-old man from Hanover Park turned himself in at the Grassy Park Police Station at about 3pm on Monday.
This after the white VW Golf 3 he’d been driving was found by detectives at his family’s home in Hanover Park on Saturday.
The car’s windscreen is smashed, the bonnet dented and the bumper damaged.
The number plate is missing and relatives of the victim say it was left near the accident scene.
The suspect had allegedly jumped a red robot along Strandfontein Road and 5th Avenue in Lotus River on Thursday and rammed into six-year-old Shaylynn Arendse, of Strandfontein, and her nanny Maureen Abrahams, 67, of Lotus River, who were standing on the pavement.
Maureen and Shaylynn, who was in Grade 1 at Strandfontein Primary School, were on their way to the Pick 'n Pay along 5th Avenue and Strandfontein Road, Lotus River, when tragedy struck.
SMASHED: Golf 3 found in Hanover Park
Shaylynn died on impact and sustained brain damage, while Maureen passed away on arrival at hospital with multiple injuries to her body.
Police spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk confirmed a 24-year-old suspect was arrested on Monday afternoon.
“He is due to appear in court on a charge of culpable homicide once charged,” he says.
“This office can confirm that the vehicle used in this incident was found at a family member’s residence and is currently at Grassy Park SAPS.”
Van Wyk says anyone with information regarding the culpable homicide is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Andrew Herman on 061 446 1499.
Shaylynn’s paternal grandmother, Brenda Tommy, says the family is relieved: “We thank the Lord for the arrest, so we can begin to have closure.”
She says the family is preparing for her funeral this Saturday, which would have been her birthday party.
DIED: Babysitter Maureen Abrahams, 67, of Lotus River
Shaylynn was an only child and would have turned seven on Wednesday.
“Jason Hendricks, her father and my son, said that they were planning her birthday party on Saturday and now they are planning her funeral,” says Brenda.
Both families had the difficult task of identifying the bodies at the mortuary on Monday.
“She was identified at the mortuary, so quite traumatic day for us,” says the ouma.
“Her funeral is planned for Saturday at 10am at St. Philip Catholic Church, Strandfontein.