A 29-year-old woman driver was taken into custody and accused of driving under the influence and culpable homicide.

On Christmas Day, the woman was taken into custody by Hartbeespoortdam police after her car struck a mother and her two kids, instantly killing the girl.

"A black Volkswagen Amarok bakkie was reported to the police after it struck a woman with two kids in Kosmos at Simon Bekker Avenue in Hartbeespoortdam. The Emergency and Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) paramedics at the site declared a 5-year-old girl dead, according to North West police spokesman Adele Myburgh.

With severe head injuries, the second victim—the deceased's mother, age 22—was brought to a nearby hospital and admitted.

Myburgh continued, "The third victim, a baby girl, was also admitted to the hospital in a serious condition."

On Friday, the suspect is anticipated to appear before the British Magistrates' Court.

Barbra Creecy, the minister of transportation, voiced concerns earlier this month on the conduct of drivers and pedestrians on the nation's roadways.

Creecy was providing an update on the preliminary road safety report for the mid-Festive Season.

The minister stated at the time that since December 1st, 512 individuals have lost their lives on the nation's highways.

"We continue to be concerned about the large number of people who drive while intoxicated and pedestrians who use roads carelessly," Creecy stated.

"Accidents and fatalities have increased," she stated.

Since December 1, there has been a 3% increase in serious accidents, including 426 crashes that resulted in fatalities. Pedestrians accounted for nearly half (45%) of the fatalities.