Fatal Sedgefield crash: Family rejects plea deal, hoping for jail sentence

Update

GEORGE NEWS - The family of Danielle van Jaarsveld (41), the woman who lost her life in a car crash near Sedgefield in November 2022, is hoping for a jail sentence for Gareth Webster, who stands accused of causing the collision.

This follows the rejection of a plea agreement that had been submitted to the State. The matter will now proceed to trial, with a pre-trial conference scheduled for Friday 26 June.

Webster appeared in the George Magistrate’s Court earlier this week.

Initially, a plea agreement was submitted to the State, but the prosecutor was not satisfied with its contents as it allegedly did not correspond with the information contained in the docket.

Following this, Van Jaarsveld’s family met with the senior prosecutor and were informed about the plea submitted by the defence.

“We were not happy with the plea and confirmed with them that we are looking for a jail sentence,” said Van Jaarsveld’s sister, Desiree Keating.

Van Jaarsveld, from George, died on 6 November 2022 after the Kia sedan she was driving was involved in a head-on collision with an Audi SQ5 performance SUV on Swartvlei Beach Road near the Sedge Links Golf Club in Sedgefield.

Webster, who was employed by Audi Centre George at the time, was allegedly driving the Audi after attending a golf day at the course.

Van Jaarsveld’s vehicle reportedly rolled several times before coming to a standstill next to the road. She died while being transported to hospital.

Her passenger and sister-in-law, Monique van Zyl, sustained serious injuries in the crash and underwent multiple operations followed by extensive physiotherapy.

The two women were reportedly on their way to the beach at the time of the collision.

Van Zyl, who celebrated her 33rd birthday earlier this year, is still undergoing medical treatment.

Webster first appeared in court on a charge of culpable homicide on 3 October 2023.

On 13 March 2024, the State decided to provisionally withdraw the matter because a forensic report was still outstanding and the case could not be postponed any further.

Webster was summoned to appear in court again in January this year. He appeared in the George Magistrate’s Court on 14 January on a charge of culpable homicide and the matter was transferred to the regional court.

Van Jaarsveld’s family approached AfriForum’s private prosecution unit in 2024 and the unit ensured that the matter was placed back on the court roll.

Webster, who now works in Knysna, remains out on warning.

Gareth Webster. Photo: Supplied