A biker who killed an 81-year-old man crossing the Gonubie Main Road on a pedestrian crossing three years ago has been convicted of culpable homicide and sentenced to three years of correctional supervision and a one-year prison sentence suspended for five years.
Well-known Gonubie resident Lourens Myburgh, who is better known as Louw, collided with Neal King on May 9 2013 at about 8am.
King, who sustained injuries to his head and body in the accident, died later that day at Frere Hospital’s ICU.
Myburgh, 46, a founder member of Gonubie Protect and the administrator of the popular Nubians Unlimited Facebook community page, was convicted in the East London Magistrate’s Court on May 26.
When the Dispatch contacted him yesterday, Myburgh said he was “deeply sorry” for the accident.
“It was not intentional and I would give anything to change what happened. I feel terrible about it.
“The law has taken its course and I have fully accepted . I take full responsibility.”
He said he had been heading to an important work meeting on the morning of the accident.
“I came off my bike and was out for about an hour and had concussion.”
Myburgh, a section manager at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, said he had been so distressed by the accident and King’s death that he fell into a depression, lost his “zest for life” and got divorced.
He said had not used his Suzuki SV 1000 again.
“I fixed it but it stood in my garage for a year until I sold it. I never rode it again.”
Neal King’s daughter Cindy Taylor referred to her father’s death as a “freak accident” and said she had never felt animosity towards Myburgh.
“It was just unfortunate. We never blamed him (Myburgh). It affected both our families and I hope he can find some peace and carry on with his life,” she said.
Gonubie Ratepayers’ Association chairman André Swart, who came upon the accident 10 minutes after it happened, said elevated zebra crossings and speed calming measures should be installed on the Gonubie Main Road, especially in the vicinity of Gonubie Primary School.
Suspended sentence for crash biker
Well-known Gonubie resident Lourens Myburgh, who is better known as Louw, collided with Neal King on May 9 2013 at about 8am.
King, who sustained injuries to his head and body in the accident, died later that day at Frere Hospital’s ICU.
Myburgh, 46, a founder member of Gonubie Protect and the administrator of the popular Nubians Unlimited Facebook community page, was convicted in the East London Magistrate’s Court on May 26.
When the Dispatch contacted him yesterday, Myburgh said he was “deeply sorry” for the accident.
“It was not intentional and I would give anything to change what happened. I feel terrible about it.
“The law has taken its course and I have fully accepted . I take full responsibility.”
He said he had been heading to an important work meeting on the morning of the accident.
“I came off my bike and was out for about an hour and had concussion.”
Myburgh, a section manager at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, said he had been so distressed by the accident and King’s death that he fell into a depression, lost his “zest for life” and got divorced.
He said had not used his Suzuki SV 1000 again.
“I fixed it but it stood in my garage for a year until I sold it. I never rode it again.”
Neal King’s daughter Cindy Taylor referred to her father’s death as a “freak accident” and said she had never felt animosity towards Myburgh.
“It was just unfortunate. We never blamed him (Myburgh). It affected both our families and I hope he can find some peace and carry on with his life,” she said.
Gonubie Ratepayers’ Association chairman André Swart, who came upon the accident 10 minutes after it happened, said elevated zebra crossings and speed calming measures should be installed on the Gonubie Main Road, especially in the vicinity of Gonubie Primary School.
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