While the young lawyer who was dragged for more than 200m by a taxi fights for her life in hospital, the taxi driver is in court trying to avoid time in jail.

Kim McCusker was allegedly run over and dragged by a taxi driven by Peter Matome Thamage, 31, after an altercation between himself and McCusker's fiance, Lawrence Grobler, on Tuesday in Lonehill, northern Johannesburg.

Thamage appeared in the Randburg Magistrate's Court yesterday on charges of attempted murder and reckless and negligent driving.

His bail application was postponed to next Wednesday.

The incident happened when McCusker and Grobler were on their way to gym in their white bakkie. The couple was expected to walk down the aisle in February.

Thamage's white taxi allegedly collided with the bakkie.

Yesterday, prosecutor Khutso Ramaselele told the court that the fight between Grobler and Thamage was a result of road rage.

After the collision, which took place in Lonehill Boulevard, Grobler allegedly went over to Thamage's taxi and assaulted the driver.

He also broke the taxi's window.

Ramaselele said that, during the alleged assault, McCusker got out of the car and stood close to the taxi. She was allegedly knocked over by the vehicle as Thamage tried to accelerate away from the scene. She became hooked on the taxi and was dragged for 200m.

Security officers at Lonehill shopping complex stopped the driver after informing him that there was something underneath his car.

Grobler also faces possible arrest after the taxi driver laid a charge of assault and malicious damage to property for the broken window.

Advocate Oliver Moeti, who represented Thamage, objected to the charge of attempted murder.

He said his client was merely trying to flee from the assault and was not aware that there was a person being dragged by the taxi.

McCusker is stable but still in a critical condition in hospital.

People with information can contact the police investigating officer, Detective H Mathe, on 073 769 4299.