A taxi driver who allegedly ran down a 16-year-old girl driving a scooter, killing her instantly, was arrested on Tuesday, Pretoria police said.

"He was arrested just after 1pm today [Tuesday] after the detective called him in. He has been charged with culpable homicide," said Sergeant Lynnette Erasmus.

Bernadine Kruger died on the scene after the taxi hit her scooter and then drove over her on Monday morning.

The accident occurred while the girl was driving to school on her scooter in Garsfontein around 7am.

"I saw a taxi driving at a high speed behind her and hooting at her. Just as she attempted to change lanes, the taxi hit her," eyewitness Hugo Vermaak told Beeld newspaper.

Erasmus said the driver would appear at the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Thursday

Sapa