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Blue-light driver 'ignored boy'

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa - A driver whose vehicle knocked down teenager Thomas Ferreira in 2011 didn’t attempt to help him but instead walked around his car to assess the damage, Beeld has reported.

Accident witness Andrew Morton was testifying in Krugersdorp Magistrate's Court, west of Johannesburg, in a case against Joseph Motsamai Semitjie, driver for Humphrey Mmemesi, former MEC for local government and housing.

SEVERE BRAIN INJURIES


Morton was the state's first witness called to testify in Semitjie's trial, in which the driver has been charged with reckless driving and failing to lend assistance after the accident. Semitjie has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

At the time of the accident Ferreira was a matric pupil at a Krugersdorp High School and sitting his final exams. He sustained severe brain injuries, was in a coma for weeks, and is still undergoing rehabilitation.

Morton and a friend saw the accident and sat with Ferreira until paramedics arrived. Morton said: "I saw the accused walking around his car to check for damage. It didn't look like he was hurt. He never approached us, spoke to us, or tried to find out if Thomas had been injured."

The case was postponed until 2013.
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