Suspect and an officer die in crash

The barely recognisable Audi R8 after the accident. Picture: Mbali Sibanyoni/Twitter

A motorist who raced away while a policeman was in his car searching for drugs, killed himself and the officer when he crashed in Rosebank, north of Johannesburg, during a high speed chase.

Lieutenant Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said two police officers stopped the Audi R8 and searched it earlier today.

When they found a small amount of dagga, the driver sped off with one police officer still inside the vehicle. The other policeman gave chase in the police van.

“The Audi driver lost control in Rosebank and hit a tree, a wall and a light pole,” said Dlamini.

The policeman and the motorist were declared dead at the scene.

Dlamini said the policeman’s name would be released after his family had been informed.

- Sapa