WHEN RAY PHIRI heard a loud bang he slammed on brakes and brought his car to a stop.
With a heavy heart he leapt out of the car to investigate and his worst fears were confirmed.
TWO PEDESTRIANS HAD BEEN STRUCK, ONE FATALLY.
“I am saddened and heartbroken,” said the famous musician.
Ray was on his way to Mbombela from Joburg when his Audi A6 crashed into two pedestrians on the Samora Machel off-ramp near the N4, Middelburg, on Sunday night. One died on the scene and another was rushed to hospital in a critical condition. Ray himself was not injured.
Ray said after stopping to investigate, he realised he had hit the pedestrians. He called the police and they responded immediately.
“It is terrible that this happened and I don’t feel good about it at all.
“There should at least have been road signs to indicate a pedestrian crossing so motorists could drive more carefully, but there were none.”
The musician said it was not the first time that a pedestrian has died because of the condition of the road. He said it was tragic that people had lost their lives.
Ray, former Stimela lead vocalist and guitarist, is world famous for his musical achievements, including working with Paul Simon on Graceland and Rhythm of the Saints projects.
Police spokesman Sergeant Gerald Sedibe confirmed the incident. He said a culpable homicide case is being investigated.
Community Safety and Liaison spokesman Joseph Mabuza said despite the absence of road signs on the road, pedestrians and motorists are urged to be cautious.
“The cause of the accident, or who was in the wrong, is still unknown and an in
- This is not the first time Ray has had bad luck in a car accident.
In 2003, his wife Daphney died when the car he was driving overturned on a dirt road near Barberton, Mpumalanga. Two other musicians, Lindelani Mathonsi and Larry Myathaza, as well as Phiri’s eight-month-old daughter, were in the car.
And his career with Stimela ended after a bad car accident left the singer hospitalised for months.