Collision Between Taxi and Car on R55-N14 Leaves Two Dead, Several Injured

June 21, 2025 – A tragic collision between taxi and car has claimed the lives of two individuals and left multiple others injured in a serious accident along the R55-N14 highway between Diepsloot and Krugersdorp. The incident, which occurred early Saturday morning, brought traffic to a halt as emergency services rushed to the chaotic scene.

According to Gauteng emergency services, the fatal crash involved a minibus taxi carrying multiple passengers and a private vehicle. The taxi, following the collision, reportedly lost control, veered off the road, and rolled onto its side.

Two people were declared dead on the scene by paramedics. Several others, ranging from seriously to critically injured, were treated on site before being transported to nearby hospitals for urgent medical care.

“The extent of injuries varies,” a spokesperson from Gauteng Emergency Medical Services confirmed. “Many of the victims have been stabilized, but several are in critical condition and receiving specialist trauma care.”

The collision between taxi and the private vehicle caused significant disruption along the busy R55-N14 route. The area is a key corridor for commuters traveling between northern Johannesburg and Krugersdorp.

Gauteng traffic police spokesperson Obed Sibasa told reporters that the cause of the crash is still under investigation. Early eyewitness reports suggest that one of the vehicles may have attempted an unsafe turn or lane change, but this remains unverified.

“It is alleged that two vehicles collided at the intersection, and the taxi overturned as a result,” Sibasa explained. “Authorities are now conducting a full reconstruction of the accident to determine the precise cause.”

Sibasa added that the intersection remains closed in both directions, affecting routes toward Krugersdorp and Midrand. Traffic has since been diverted as law enforcement and forensic investigators work at the scene.

“We urge all motorists to avoid the area and use alternative routes while the investigation is underway,” he said.

Community in Shock Following Collision Between Taxi and Car

Local residents and motorists expressed horror at the scene, many describing it as one of the most severe crashes they’ve witnessed on the route.

“It was chaotic,” said John Motale, a Diepsloot resident who drove past shortly after the accident. “There were bodies on the ground, people screaming, and emergency vehicles everywhere.”

Family members of the injured have been gathering at nearby hospitals, hoping for updates on their loved ones. Officials have set up a temporary coordination center at a local clinic to assist families and help identify the deceased.

This collision between taxi and a private vehicle is the latest in a series of similar incidents across Gauteng involving public transport vehicles. Transport analysts have raised growing concerns about minibus taxi safety, especially on high-speed and high-traffic roads like the R55 and N14.

According to data from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), taxis are involved in a disproportionately high number of road collision in South Africa, often due to speeding, reckless driving, poor vehicle maintenance, or overloading.

“We need to focus more aggressively on regulating the taxi industry and ensuring compliance with road safety laws,” said Dr. Thembeka Mahlangu, a transport policy expert. “Lives are being lost needlessly, and many of these accidents are preventable.”

Civil society groups and road safety advocates have called on the Department of Transport and Gauteng provincial authorities to implement stricter oversight on public transport vehicles. Suggestions include:

• Regular roadworthiness checks for taxis.
• Mandatory rest periods for drivers.
• Installation of speed governors and dash cams.
• Harsher penalties for repeat traffic violations.

“The government must treat this as a public health crisis,” said Patrick Mokgotsi, a representative of the Road Safety Council of South Africa. “These deaths are not just numbers—they’re mothers, fathers, children. Action must be taken.”

Emergency response teams, along with SAPS and municipal health officials, are continuing to work at the scene to support victims and their families. The deceased are being transferred to a forensic pathology unit for postmortem examinations, while the injured will receive further treatment and trauma counseling.

The authorities have confirmed that once investigations are complete, legal action may be taken if reckless or negligent driving is found to have contributed to the collision between taxi and private vehicle.

“Accountability is crucial,” said Sibasa. “If any party is found to have violated traffic laws, charges will be laid.”

As Gauteng mourns another tragic road collision, the call for urgent reforms in road safety and taxi regulations becomes even louder.

Source- EWN