Alannah Sobolewski: Plumpton crash victim, police renew appeal

Police have renewed their appeal for footage of a tragic pedestrian crash which claimed the life of a five-year-old girl and left her mum seriously injured.

Police are have renewed their appeal for dashcam footage as they try to piece together the final moments before a girl was tragically killed in a pedestrian crash last week.

Five-year-old Alannah Sobolewski was walking with her mother Taylor Maddock, 25, across a zebra crossing on Rooty Hill Road North in Plumpton when they were hit last Wednesday night.

Tragically, Alannah died of head injuries in hospital that night, while Ms Maddock suffered serious injuries. She remains in hospital this week recovering from serious back, leg and pelvis injuries.

Taylor Maddock and her daughter Alannah Sobolewski. Alannah was clutching her mother’s hand on the way to a restaurant when she was struck and killed by a van in Plumpton last week. Picture: Supplied

On Wednesday, police made a fresh appeal to the public to come forward with any footage of the incident.

Anyone who saw the crash or has any mobile phone or dashcam footage, has been urged to contact Mt Druitt Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A GoFundMe page set up by the Maddock family to help the mother’s recovery has raised more than $44,000 of a $50,000 target in just two days.

Fundraiser organiser Brooke Maddock said the family was left heartbroken by the tragedy.

“On the 17th of March, our world was shattered when our beautiful Alannah and her mother Taylor were struck by a car, while crossing a pedestrian crossing,” she said.

The pedestrian crossing on Rooty Hill Rd, Plumpton where 5 year old Alannah was killed by a van as she walked across the road with her mother. Picture John Grainger

“Our sweet innocent lana passed away and Taylor has been left with a broken leg, shattered pelvis, fractured spine and a broken heart that will never heal.”

Brooke Maddock said the family had only celebrated Alannah’s fifth birthday last month.

She remembered Alannah’s “beautiful smile, funny personality and loving heart”.

“Whilst no amount of money can bring her back, our hope is to help take the burden off Taylor,” she said.

“A mum whose head and heart are already filled with so much pain and agony that the worry of how she will get by when she is unable to work is just too much.”

Alannah Sobolewski tragically died on Wednesday night in hospital.

Taylor Maddock and her daughter Alannah Sobolewski.

She called on people to donate to help Ms Maddock get back on her feet.

Locals have taken to social media calling for safety improvements at the crash site, such as traffic lights or a pedestrian bridge.

The driver of the Tarago van, a 61-year-old man, has undergone mandatory tests and has assisted police in their inquiries. However, he has not been charged at this stage.

It is understood police are investigating whether speed or inclement weather might have been a factor in the crash.