Parents say only one victim died in Phoenix crash involving reaction vehicle

Two people were killed and one injured after they were struck by an ADT response vehicle on Palmview Drive in Phoenix. Conflicting reports suggest the pedestrians were on the pavement while others say they were crossing the road. The response officer is also alleged to have been drunk. Picture: Reaction Unit South Africa

Two people were killed and one injured after they were struck by an ADT response vehicle on Palmview Drive in Phoenix. Conflicting reports suggest the pedestrians were on the pavement while others say they were crossing the road. The response officer is also alleged to have been drunk. Picture: Reaction Unit South Africa

Published Jul 4, 2022

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Durban — KwaZulu-Natal police have sought to clear the confusion caused by their statement regarding an ADT armed response vehicle that ploughed into three people in Phoenix on June 26, 2022.

The Daily News had asked the police whether a second victim had died in hospital following reports on social media.

The response from the police was: “We can confirm that a second victim died in hospital.”

But the Fidelity Services Group said that it had been in contact with the police who had confirmed that the accident victim was still in the hospital.

On Monday police said that they were investigating a case of culpable homicide.

In an interview with the victims' fathers, the Daily News established that Ethan Govender, 18, died at the scene while his friends Kerin Rampersad,19, and his sibling Trishen Rampersad,16, were left seriously injured.

Kerin and Trishen’s father, Tusher Rampersad, said that one of his son’s was on life support and the other had been discharged from the hospital.

Following the incident, police said that on June 26, 2022, Phoenix police were called to a scene where four pedestrians were knocked by a vehicle.

“It is alleged that the incident happened around 4.50pm where a vehicle knocked four pedestrians. One was confirmed dead on the scene, two sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for medical attention whilst one was unharmed.”

Daily News