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Witnesses said the motorist, who has been identified as Jardine Heath Roy (35) of Fortunes Gate, looked drunk and could hardly stand on his own.
The police officer, Sergeant Otilia Magwenya (36), reportedly died on the spot after both her legs were broken and her skull crushed on impact.
A witness said Roy approached the roadblock at high speed.
“The police officer walked into the road and signalled for him to stop. However, he accelerated and hit her. She flew into the air and landed on the car’s bonnet. She was carried for a distance before falling off in a bloody mangled mess,” said the witness who declined to be named.
The witness said Sgt Magwenya looked dead and her body lay at an impossible angle that suggested that most of the bones in her body were broken.
“It was very scary and it happened so fast. Even the officers who were with her at the roadblock were stunned. They did not immediately react. They stood rooted to the spot and watched in horror as the Toyota Land Cruiser slammed into their colleague and killed her,” said the witness.
The witness said Sgt Magwenya tried to move out of the way at the last instant when she realised that the driver was not going to stop, but could not make it.
Another witness said when police caught up with Roy, he could hardly stand on his feet.
“He was very drunk. He fell down every time police officers tried to make him stand on his feet. Even his speech was so slurred, it was impossible to hear what he was trying to say,” said the witness.
Contacted for comment, the police spokesperson for Bulawayo, Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo, confirmed the incident.
“We are handling a case in which a motorist allegedly hit and killed a female officer along 12th Avenue Extension on Sunday.
The motorist failed to stop. We are warning motorists to take police roadblocks seriously and treat officers manning them with respect,” said Insp Moyo.
He said the motorist was arrested and the officer’s body was taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals mortuary. Insp Moyo declined to give further comment, saying the matter would be heard in court soon.
“I cannot speak further because it could jeopardise investigations. Besides, the driver will soon appear in court, it would then be sub judice for me to give further details,” said Insp Moyo.
Online Reporter