A TRUCK driver who was allegedly drunk lost control of the truck and veered off the road before knocking over a resident and crashing into a shack.
The incident happened in Emona near Tongaat, Durban, on Tuesday, 16 January.
The driver was transporting building sand from Emona to Tongaat when he was involved in the accident.
Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) spokesman Prem Balram said they arrested a drunk Zimbabwean man after he overturned a tip-truck and killed one person in Emona.
Balram said an occupant of the shack was rushed to hospital privately.
"The 52-year-old 'drunken' man was transporting building sand from Emona to Tongaat when he overturned the white Powerstar truck onto an informal home. The truck came to rest on the deceased," he said.
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He said a passenger in the truck told reaction unit officers that the driver offered him a lift to Tongaat.
"Empty alcohol bottles were recovered in the truck. Reaction officers, paramedics from IPSS Medical Rescue and the residents removed the sand and exposed the deceased's body. His head was trapped under the truck. A large crowd gathered at the scene and threatened to assault the driver," he said.
He said the "drunk" driver was handed over to the police.
KZN police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Nqobile Gwala confirmed that Tongaat cops are investigating a case of culpable homicide and reckless and negligent driving.
"It's alleged that on 16 January, a 30-year-old man was knocked by a truck at Emona in Tongaat. Another male sustained injuries, and was rushed to hospital for medical attention," said Gwala.
