Bli Bli scooter crash: Young boy dies in hospital after being hit by alleged drink driver

The family of a Sunshine Coast boy has made the heartbreaking decision to turn off his life support after he was struck by an alleged drink driver while riding his scooter.

Dawlon Saunders was struck by a ute while riding his scooter in Bli Bli on Father's Day, September 3.

A 12-year-old boy has died in hospital after he was hit by an alleged drunk driver on a Bli Bli road at the Sunshine Coast.

Dawlon Saunders was riding his scooter along David Low Way at Bli Bli when he was struck by a Mazda Ute about 5.10pm on Sunday, September 3.

It is understood he and another boy had stepped off their scooters and were walking across the pedestrian crossing at the traffic lights closest to the Maroochy River bridge, near the Bli Bli IGA, when Dawlon was hit.

He suffered critical injuries and was flown to the Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane.

The 27-year-old Bli Bli driver allegedly blew o.069 and was charged with drink driving. He will appear in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on October 30.

A Queensland Police Service spokesperson said additional charges are expected to be laid.

On Sunday, September 17, his family shared an emotional update to social media confirming he had died.

A 27-year-old Bli Bli man has been charged with drink-driving as a child fights for his life in a Brisbane hospital. Picture: Patrick Woods

“It is with great sadness and regret to inform you all that Dawlon has lost his battle,” older sister Letitia Smith wrote.

She said the past 14 days had been “unimaginable” for the family.

“On Friday, mum made the difficult decision to turn off his life support. Dawlon being Dawlon had fought for two days.”

A second GoFundMe campaign, to help cover the costs of Dawlon’s funeral, was started by Ms Smith on September 17.

At the time of publishing, it has raised $2,315 of its $20,000 target.

An earlier GoFundMe raising money for Dawlon’s recovery has raised $18,062 at the time of publishing.