A community in Sydney is grieving after a devastating crash claimed the life of a pregnant woman and her unborn child, and a 19-year-old has now been charged in connection with the tragedy.
According to 7News, News.com.au, and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), the 33-year-old woman was walking with her husband and their 3-year-old child around 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14, in the suburb of Hornsby. Assistant Commissioner David Driver said during a press conference that the family was crossing near the entrance of a parking garage when a Kia slowed down to let them pass.
Moments later, a white BMW allegedly slammed into the back of the Kia. The impact pushed the Kia forward, striking the woman.
“As a result of that crash, the Kia impacted with a 33-year-old female,” Driver said. “As a result of that impact, she’s now deceased, and very sadly, she was also eight months pregnant, and her unborn child has also died.”
The BMW was being driven by a 19-year-old man, while a 48-year-old man was behind the wheel of the Kia. Neither driver had passengers, and both were taken to Hornsby Hospital for mandatory testing. Neither man was injured.
Police arrested the 19-year-old just after midnight, around 12:45 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, at a home in the nearby suburb of Wahroonga. He has been charged with dangerous driving occasioning death, negligent driving (occasioning death), and causing the loss of a fetus in the death of a pregnant woman. His name has not been released. He was refused bail and is expected to appear in court on Sunday, Nov. 16.
Driver acknowledged how difficult the scene was for first responders. “Any serious crash is very confronting for first responders and particularly tragic when people pass away and indeed when there are children involved,” he said. “This is a terrible, terrible story.”
In the days following the crash, community members have gathered at the site to leave flowers and heartfelt tributes. One card left at the growing memorial offered a moving message: “Words can’t describe how sorry I am that this has happened to you. It was a great privilege to be present with you for those moments. I pray for you and your little one, that you are held with love as you leave this world.”
The New South Wales Police Crash Investigation Unit is continuing to investigate and is urging anyone with information or dashcam footage to come forward.
And in Canada they are worried about senior drivers.I really think people should not get a license until they are 21