Memorial held for teen killed by reckless driver
Hundreds of residents attended the memorial service of slain Taytim-Leigh Hendricks who was killed by a reckless driver who crashed into a home she was walking pass, sending her flying onto the roof.
Taytim, 18, was walking to her mother's house in Bonteheuwel on Sunday October 9, at around 4pm, when a man knocked into her with such speed that she flew onto the roof of a house in Bluegum Avenue.
At the time a first aider Divanne Liebrandt, who was on his way to visit his mother in Bonteheuwel, saw the accident and rushed to assist ("Reckless driver kills one, injures another", Athlone News, October 12)
He checked on the driver and then climbed onto the roof where Taytim was laying. Mr Liebrandt attended to her until paramedics arrived.
Taytim died at Groote Schuur Hospital the next morning around 2am and the driver was arrested on charges of culpable homicide, reckless driving and driving without a licence, the next day. That same week he was released on R5000 bail which was later reduced to R3000 on condition that he can't visit the Bonteheuwel area. He is due to appear in Bishop Lavis Magistrate’s Court in February next year.
On Thursday October 13, residents of the home she landed on, held a memorial service at 6.30pm where a convoy of bikers paid tribute to the teen. About 500 residents, friends, and family members filled the streets crying, lighting candles, and praying as they were addressed by speakers from the community.
Leticia Plaatjies, who lives on the premises that Taytim was knocked at, said that on that Sunday all she heard was a loud bang followed by the screams of her sister which was when she walked out and saw the car halfway into the house.
"I looked up and saw black takkies and freaked out. I called police and the paramedics. We couldn't recognise her as her face was swollen. The guy kept saying that the brakes failed, and the steering wheel locked. We only found out the next day who she was. She was coming to visit to her mom as she stays with her grandmother in Mitchell's Plain. There was papers in a Niknaks packet in her bag identifying her. I am very emotional - what her parents is going through is touching everyone.
Mr Liebrandt said that he was glad to be of assistance because he managed to buy her a few more hours so that her family could at least say goodbye to her at the hospital. He said that in his many years of being a first aider, this accident has emotionally scarred him.
"She had many injuries to her head and her jaw was swollen as well as her face. She tried to talk but couldn't. I've dealt with many cases like this but this has really touched me. Since Sunday I haven't been able to sleep. I am still emotional because I can't get her face out of my mind," he said.
Ward councillor Angus McKenzie, commended residents at the turn out at the memorial service. He said that he hoped to see the same unity at the trial next year which would ensure that justice is served.
"This is such an awesome moment to see hundreds of people come out to support the family. The family is feeling such comfort knowing that they have so many people supporting them. This is what Bonteheuwel is about - we will walk the tough road with each other. This unity will bring justice to the family and ensure that situations like this never happen again," he said.
