Underage Bulawayo Kombi Driver Ploughs Into Roadblock, Dragging Cop Along For 30 Metres

AN underage commuter omnibus driver, Junior Peter Gopito, 20, ploughed through a roadblock and dragged a police officer for about 30 metres, a magistrate heard yesterday.

The traffic officer, who was not named in court, sustained serious head injuries and multiple fractures and is still admitted to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH).

Tony Kamudyariwa who was prosecuting said on July 4, Gopito was driving a public service vehicle along Birkenhead Road near Westgate in Bulawayo. Kamudyariwa said police officers signalled for Gopito to stop when he approached the roadblock. He failed to stop and drove directly towards the police officer who fled off the road and Gopito drove through the roadblock, hitting two traffic cones that were being used to block the road. He didn’t stop after the accident.

Gopito pleaded not guilty to a charge of reckless driving and failure to comply with lawful instructions given by the police when he appeared before Western Commonage Magistrate Themba Chimiso. – Source-bulawayo24.com