A 27-year old man who drove over two young teenage school girls, allegedly while under the influence of alcohol, was granted bail of R5,000 in the Port Magistrate’s court on Tuesday.
William Taute, employed at South African Breweries as an account manager, is facing a string of charges which include culpable homicide, attempted murder, reckless or negligent driving, driving under the influence of liquor, excessive amount of alcohol in blood and failure by driver to immediately stop after an accident.
Taute, who wore a grey hoodie, was supported by his brother and parents during court proceedings on Tuesday.
Defence attorney Ryno Scholtz indicated that his client intended to plead not guilty to the charges against him.
On Friday night, 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 on Monday.
Her friend, Lorren Abrahams, 20 is reportedly in a critical condition.
It is alleged that 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 indicated in court on Tuesday that Taute was allegedly traveling at a high speed when he collided with the girls on Friday night.
Van Rooyen further indicated that Taute also allegedly jumped a red robot, refused to stop at the scene of the accident and also overtook other stationery cars.
It further emerged in court that Taute had only very recently resigned from his job as an SAB account manager and was in the process of leaving South Africa to seek opportunities in New Zealand.
He has since cancelled his plans to travel abroad after the incident and his passport has been handed in to the investigating officer, and for this reason the state did not oppose bail.
Taute will now be staying on a family farm in Vryburg in the North West as part of his bail conditions and is to report to the Vryburg police station twice a week.
The case was postponed to May 10 for further investigation.
– African News Agency (ANA)
