Headboy killed in head-on collision
JON HOUZET
| TRAGIC LOSS: Alexandria Christian Academy (ACA) headboy Kenneth Johnson was killed in a car accident on Monday Picture: SUPPLIED |
Johnson, 18, was on his way to school in his white Opel Corsa at about 7.15am, when a truck hit him head-on, close to the San Souci turn-off on the R72 (on the Port Elizabeth side of Alexandria).
Police spokeswoman Captain Mali Govender said the details of the accident were not clear, but ACA principal Gretel Olivier said the truck apparently lost control and veered into oncoming traffic.
"Kenneth was coming from the other side and was hit head-on. He was on his way to pick up two fellow students on his way to school,” said Olivier. "A passing doctor came onto the scene and certified him dead.”
The driver of the truck was unharmed. Mali said a case of culpable homicide is being investigated.
Olivier said Johnson, who came to Alexandria from Magaliesberg two years ago, was "a gifted boy, who was successful in all he attempted”.
Johnson was informed last week that he was accepted to study chemical engineering at Wits University next year.
Last year, he won a silver award at the All Africa Student Convention for his science engineering exhibit, together with Adriaan Slabbert, for building a motor-driven pipe car.
"He touched the lives of many in Alexandria, and will be sorely missed,” said Olivier.
He is survived by his mother, Tania Kahts, father Dean Johnson, an older sister and brother, and stepfather, Christo Kahts, who is chairman of the ACA governing body.
