Driver too sick to face court over Indie Armstrong’s death
AN elderly woman charged over the death of a six-year-old girl at a Sunshine Coast car park was unable to face court today.
Crime & Justice
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THE elderly driver behind the wheel of a car that crashed into and killed a six-year-old girl on the Sunshine Coast was unable to face court today as she was seriously ill in hospital.
Miriam Paton, 86, had been due to face Maroochydore Magistrates Court charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and grievous bodily harm.
Her charges followed the death of Indie Armstrong after the June 17 incident, which took place in a Nambour supermarket carpark.
Police alleged that a vehicle driven by Mrs Paton reversed into Indie and also caused serious injuries to Indie’s 57-year-old grandmother, Sandy.
Mrs Paton’s lawyer Peter Boyce, of Butler McDermott, provided a certificate to Magistrate John Parker, showing that his client was in hospital.
Magistrate Parker accepted that she was unwell and unable to attend and excused her to appear for committal mention on September 21.
Defence lawyer Peter Boyce told the court he was content for the case to go straight to the next level but cast doubt on his client’s health.
“As soon as she is well enough I’m happy for her to go to the courthouse and sign bail,” Mr Boyce said.
“Things aren’t good.”
It was not stated what Paton’s condition was.
At her funeral earlier this month, Indie was remembered as creative, cherished, lively and loved. Hundreds of mourners farewelled her at a Buderim chapel on July 3.
In a message penned by her parents, little Indie was remembered as a free spirit who lit up her family, who loved them, and was loved by them “to the moon and back”.
“You were a free spirit who always looked on the bright side of life and loved to have fun wherever you went,” it read.
“You loved swimming in the ocean, catching crabs and jumping waves, swinging upside down in the frangipani tree and riding your bike around the hill like crazy.
“You loved to spend hours outside. Your enthusiasm for life was infectious.”
In the days after the crash locals laid flowers at the scene and a fundraising cricket day was held to show support.
A candlelight vigil was held at the shopping centre the night of the accident.
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