Husband of Epping cafe crash victim hopes to one day forgive driver
Three months on from the Epping cafe crash when his wife was allegedly run over by an elderly driver, Victor Simone says NSW needs more testing for older drivers to ‘save lives’.
NSW
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Victor Simone can never forget running to his wife’s side as she lay unconscious and dying on the footpath.
Mother-of-two Liz Albornoz, 39, had been hit by a car while having coffee with other mums after school drop-off.
“I don’t know if she knew I was there, if she could feel my hand, or hear me … I hope so,” Mr Simone revealed publicly for the first time yesterday.
He prays he will one day find the strength to forgive the elderly driver, who allegedly hit the accelerator by mistake.
“I don’t want to feel hate, I’ve never met the driver,” he said. “My priority is to help my daughters grow, to try to continue life as normal although it can never be the same.
“The driver has asked to meet me through the police, for now I can’t — perhaps one day that will change.”
Events manager Ms Albornoz died in hospital several hours after she was hit at an outdoor table at a cafe in North Epping in February. Nine other people were hurt.
Mr Simone said his wife, who worked four days a week, had enjoyed her Friday coffee mornings. But she had been considering working five days, and he can’t help but wonder “what would have been”.
“What we’re dealing with as a family is difficult and painful,” he said. “She was incredibly smart, highly educated, caring, kind. She was happy. We have a rocky road ahead.”
No charges have been laid while police continue inquiries into the accident. Keith Lockrey, 89, whose wife had died just months earlier, allegedly hit the accelerator instead of the brake as he was parking in a disabled bay.
Foxtel development manager Mr Simone, 38, understands the need for elderly people to be independent but believes there should be more regular assessments. Motorists older than 75 must have yearly medical assessments and those older than 85 must also pass a driving test every two years.
“The elderly need to go buy groceries … but if medicals are more frequent, deaths could be avoided,” Mr Simone said. “The health of an elderly person can decline rapidly.”
The Centre for Road Safety maintains NSW has the most “robust” licensing system to mitigate the effects of physical decline.
Originally published as Husband of Epping cafe crash victim hopes to one day forgive driver