Dewald van der Westhuizen (26), a cyclist from Simon’s Town is on a challenging path to recovery following an incident in December where he was struck by an alleged drunk driver, according to his coach, Mike Moriarty.
Moriarty and Van der Westhuizen were cycling on Thursday, 21 December, when the accident occurred. Van der Westhuizen, who was preparing for a triathlon, has undergone three operations on his leg and is awaiting a skin graft. Despite still being in ICU, he maintains a positive outlook.
Also read: SA navy man charged with knocking down cyclists granted R5000 bail
Footage from CCTV cameras captured a white VW Polo colliding with the two cyclists on Glencairn Main Road before fleeing the scene.
A member of the South African Navy, Able Seaman Garth Pasha, 27, was apprehended in Fish Hoek later that day, as reported by Simon’s Town police chief Captain Vishnu Pillay.
Pasha appeared in the Simon’s Town Magistrate’s Court on 27 December, facing charges of attempted murder, reckless and negligent driving, and driving under the influence. He was granted bail of R5,000, had his driver’s license confiscated, and was prohibited from driving during the investigation. The navy has suspended him.
The case has been adjourned to 16 February for further investigation.
Moriarty said that he and Van der Westhuizen had departed from Harbour Bay Mall at 5am. Normally part of a group of five cyclists heading to Smitswinkel Bay on Tuesdays and Thursdays, they took an alternative route due to road closures caused by fire, as reported by False Bay Echo.
When the incident occurred, the pair was riding along Glencairn Main Road towards Dixies Restaurant. Moriarty described the morning as quiet, recalling the sound of the approaching car and the impact as it struck Van der Westhuizen, throwing him into Moriarty.
While Moriarty sustained only minor injuries, Van der Westhuizen lay unconscious with severe leg injuries. The driver stopped briefly down the road, observed the scene, and drove off despite Moriarty’s pleas for assistance.
A nearby resident alerted the police and an ambulance. Moriarty moved Van der Westhuizen to the pavement, and a private security guard assisted in keeping traffic at bay until medical help arrived.
Van der Westhuizen was stabilised and transported to the hospital. Moriarty mentioned that Van der Westhuizen’s newly acquired bike was completely destroyed.
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Picture: @Ant_I_R_Legend / X