Young life lost in hit-and-run

Update

KAROO NEWS - Jason Williams (10) passed away on 30 June after a hit-and-run incident on 28 June on the N10 outside Cradock, en route to Middelburg.

Jason was under alternative care at a Child and Youth Care Centre in Tarkastad, and was placed in the care of a family in Cradock for the winter.

Social worker and ACVV Area Manager Carin van Rensburg, who was referred to in the originally published story, only assisted the Advertiser with the correct terminology after she was notified of the situation.

ACVV and Carin van Rensburg was never involved with the placement of the child, and did not know him.

On the evening of 28 June, Jason and friends were playing under the train bridge over the N10, which is the only entrance to Cradock from Graaff-Reinet and Middelburg. This bridge is near the railway station.

The family, where he visited for the holidays, lives within walking distance from where the children were playing. Jason was hit by a truck at 22:00 on

28 June - the truckdriver did not stop. The N10 route is known as the Manganese Highway and as many as 105 manganese trucks per hour, travel in both directions on this route, and through Cradock.

Williams was immediately admitted to Cradock Provincial Hospital with serious injuries, where he passed away,

40 hours later. Jason Williams was a Grade 3 learner at Tarkastad High School.

"Jason was a soft hearted little boy, and loved being hugged. I will remember him as the Jason who offered to help everybody around him.

"When his little friend had to walk with crutches, he offered to carry his school bag for six weeks. We are so sad about this tragedy.

"We will miss him," says Sarlina Triegaardt, his class facilitator.

"When he arrived at the centre, he was like my little brother.

"We loved him so much, he enjoyed dancing when music was played," reports Meisie Swartz.

Jason Williams will be laid to rest on Thursday 6 July, in Cradock and a donation from a church in Tarkastad assisted the family, and the Department of Social Development to organise the funeral.

Col. Namhla Mdleleni, police spokesperson, the Chris Hani District Stock Theft Unit, Komani, confirmed that a case of culpable homicide has been opened at the Cradock Police Station, and is under investigation.

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Sparrows child and youth care centre in Tarkastad.