Question:
“Please assist. On the 09th December 2012, l was involved in an accident. The guy hit me at the back and run away but i managed to get his registration number and the guy was very drunk i bumped into someone’s car and the accident was reported at Honeydew police station. l waited for the station to come back to me with a suspect until today they was no follow up on the case. I need some advise because i want that guy to pay for his damages”
Answer:
I presume you have a reference number from the Honeydew police station.
The driver who ran away has committed a number of criminal offences in terms of the National Road Traffic Act.
A docket should be registered for the crash and events thereafter to be criminally investigated. You can be the complainant.
It is strongly advisable for there to be a witness.
A docket can be registered at any police station at any stage, but it is advisable to have it registered at the police station in whose area the crash occurred, during office hours and reported to a detective.
Unfortunately, the criminal investigation and subsequent prosecution (if there is one), will not really address the damage issue. However, if a magistrate finds a person guilty, part of the sentence could include compensation for damages (within reason).
SECTION COMMANDER: ACCIDENT COMBATING SERVICES *
POLICE EMERGENCY SERVICES
DIVISION VISIBLE POLICING
Also view:
What should we know about reporting a hit-and-run collision?
Reporting and Accident and Car Insurance