Family demands answers after Lenasia man dies in crash, alleges police mishandling

A Johannesburg family is demanding answers after a 41-year-old man died following a pedestrian crash in Lenasia, and they allege the police investigation has been mishandled.

What happened

Sandeep Uttam died on 6 June, a day after he was struck by a vehicle while crossing Flamingo Street outside the Total garage in Lenasia at about 7am on 5 June. Uttam, who worked as a salesman at a Mercedes-Benz dealership in Johannesburg South, suffered severe head injuries in the crash and was taken to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, where he was placed on a ventilator before later dying from his injuries.

Family concerns and timeline

The family say they first learned of the crash when a friend called after 9am to say Uttam had been taken to hospital.

“When we got to the hospital, the doctor said he was critical and had suffered a bad head injury. He was on a ventilator and they told us he would not make it,”

Uttam’s uncle, Ajeeth Singh, told the Post.

After Uttam died, the family went to the police station to obtain documents needed for funeral arrangements and said they encountered problems with the case.

Allegations about the police investigation

According to IOL, the family alleged the driver gave incorrect information to police and that the accident docket later went missing from Lenasia SAPS. According to IOL, the driver initially reported the incident as a minor accident despite Uttam later dying from his injuries, and according to IOL police later discovered the docket could not be found.

According to IOL, the family said they opened a culpable homicide case and, to date, still did not have a case number.

Evidence and witness accounts

According to IOL, the family said they have video footage which shows the driver knocking Uttam and him hitting his head. The family said an attendant at the petrol station attempted to perform CPR.

According to IOL, the family alleged the reconstruction of the accident scene differed from what witnesses saw and that the driver’s version was challenged by a witness. According to IOL, they also alleged witness statements and video evidence had not been formally collected by police.

Reaction from the community

Family friend Delo Morgan said he drove past the scene shortly after the crash and only later realised the victim was Uttam.

“I was devastated, especially with how the case is unfolding. I want justice for Sandeep. He died in an unfair way,”

Morgan said.

Police response

According to IOL, the South African Police Service had not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication.

The family says it wants answers about the circumstances of the crash and how the investigation has been handled.