Emergency services declared Dugulth (Junior King) Ferreira, 29, dead on the scene of a head-on collision between a truck and a sedan at approximately 07:25 on Thursday (11/12), Free State road incident management systems chairperson Sipho Towa confirmed.

Ferreira and his two children were travelling south on the N1 towards Bloemfontein in the back of a grey Volkswagen Polo TSI when their vehicle collided head-on with the truck travelling north towards Winburg. 

The truck that collided with the VW Polo. Photo supplied

There were four passengers and the driver inside the Volkswagen Polo. Both the Polo’s driver and the truck driver escaped unharmed.

A passenger seated next to the driver in the Polo was rushed to Pelonomi hospital along with the two children, said Free State police spokesperson Lt. Col. Thabo Covane.

“Our deepest condolences are extended to the family of the deceased,” he said. The road has been cleared, and traffic was flowing normally

Messages like these started pouring in on social media. 

A case docket of culpable homicide was opened at Verkeerdevlei police station.

The incident adds to a series of serious crashes reported on major Free State routes in recent weeks, prompting renewed calls for caution from authorities. 

Officials warn that the province cannot continue to bury residents due to preventable crashes.

One of the most severe recent accidents involved a bus transporting workers that collided with a truck on the N8 near the RRR farming area between Bloemfontein and Botshabelo, an incident described by officials as one of the worst in recent memory and one that plunged countless families into grief.

Community safety, roads and transport MEC Baby Mbalula emphasised the shared responsibility of road users and law enforcement. 

He highlighted that Free State roads play a crucial role in connecting six provinces and a neighbouring country, making safety measures especially urgent during the festive travel period.

Mbalula urged motorists to take proactive steps to ensure safe journeys. 

He advised drivers to rest regularly, stressing that fatigue kills, and reminded them to rest every two hours or 200 kilometres to stay alert. 

He further called on motorists to plan their trips, avoid drinking and driving, adhere to speed limits, and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before travelling.

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OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cvs