Police officer charged over crash which left Gai Vieira in a coma
POLICE have charged the Highway Patrol officer involved in the high-speed crash in Cronulla which left Gai Vieira, wife of Sydney racing identity Bert Vieira, in a coma. But the move has done little to satisfy her family.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
POLICE have charged the Highway Patrol officer involved in the high-speed crash in Cronulla which left Gai Vieira, wife of Sydney racing identity Bert Vieira, in a coma.
But the move has done little to satisfy her family, with Mr Vieira launching a stunning broadside at police minister Troy Grant on Thursday, over the time it took to charge the officer.
“It would have been fantastic if they’d charged him the first day or the second day, not the 22nd day. To me they’re finding a way out,” Mr Vieira said.
“The men and women of the police force are great. Why has the minister embarrassed them by waiting 22 days, as if he’s trying to look for a way out. It’s not right.”
MORE NEWS:
ABC Chairman quits over sacking ‘firestorm’
Sydney teen tied up and thrown off bridge
Hells Angels associate charged for gun possession
The 40-year-old senior constable will face court on the charge of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm on November 12, when the Vieira family have vowed to show up in numbers.
Mr Grant’s office released a statement today: “The Minister for Police has no role in the decision to lay charges against any person.”
The Vieira family has revealed heartbreaking details of the bedside vigil they have kept since the September 5 crash from which her three-year-old grandson Tyler escaped unhurt.
Ms Vieira remains in a coma but has been moving her toes when played recordings of Tyler saying “Nanny, Nanny”.
“She makes a move, her toes, every time she hears Tyler’s voice. Tyler’s the main one … because he was in the accident,” Mr Vieira said.
The family has described their daily ritual of rising early and getting to the St George Hospital’s intensive care unit at 8am each day.
They read Ms Vieira her favourite magazines and the abundance of support letters they have received.
Police will allege the officer was allegedly driving at 124km/h without lights and sirens in pursuit of another driver on their mobile phone when the crash happened on The Kingsway at Cronulla.
Mr Vieira has vowed to continue with a civil case against police or the government over the crash.
While he felt for the officer involved, he said he wanted him to lose his job.
“I mean my wife’s in hospital. I want him to lose his job,” Mr Vieira said.
He added blame should extend to any other officer who may have ordered the pursuit.
“The one who asked him to do it (the pursuit) … that’s the person I want,” he said.
Mr Vieira, who was also joined by son Trent Vieira outside the hospital today, said he had withdrawn from the family’s racing operations to be at his wife’s side.
He said he would not attend The Everest carnival at Randwick to watch the family’s champion racehorse Trapeze Artist run in October.
“I won’t go the races until she gets up,” Mr Vieira said.
