Kellyville: Girl, 4, in intensive care after family hit by texting driver
A FOUR-YEAR-OLD girl on holiday with her family from Hong Kong is fighting for her life after four members of her family were allegedly struck by a drunk driver using her mobile phone in Sydney’s northwest.
Hills Shire
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A FOUR-YEAR-OLD girl on holiday with her family from Hong Kong is fighting for her life after four members of her family were allegedly struck by a drunk driver using her mobile phone in Sydney’s northwest.
The incident happened shortly before 9.30pm yesterday along Hezlett Rd in Kellyville, close to The North Village shopping centre.
Police said four pedestrians, understood to be visiting Australia from Hong Kong, were on the side of the road when they were hit by a car heading north.
There is no footpath along that stretch of road.
Crash Investigation Unit Detective Inspector Katie Orr said the driver, a 50-year-old Kellyville woman, had been charged with mid-range drink driving and using a mobile phone when not permitted, among a long list of other charges.
“Police will allege she was sending and receiving text messages at the time (of the crash).”
She said all four pedestrians were taken to hospital and the girl was in the worst condition.
The girl suffered head and internal injuries in the crash.
“She is currently in The Children’s Hospital at Westmead in ICU,” she said.
“The other pedestrians are in various hospitals across Sydney receiving further treatment.”
The girl’s mother, 44, father, 45, and aunty, 55, are all in a stable but serious condition, Det Orr said.
Det Orr said it was a terrible combination — alcohol and texting — and she urged drivers to stay off their mobile phones while driving.
“It is a very big distraction,” she said. “It always takes your attention away from the road and momentary inattention is a big problem where you can drive off the road and hit people.”
The driver recorded a blood-alcohol reading of 0.113.
A Hezlett Rd resident, who did not want to be named, said that stretch of road was in dire need of a kerb and footpath.
“It’s a nightmare,” she said. “It is very dangerous trying to get across the road.
“I have grandchildren and I lock the doors when they are here for that reason.”
She said a kerb, gutter and footpath should have been installed along the side of the busy road years ago.
Another resident said he heard a helicopter and saw lots of flashing lights after the incident.
The crash happened a day before demerits were increased for using your mobile phone while driving — from four points to five points.
The woman was charged with dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, drive manner dangerous (x3), cause bodily harm by misconduct in charge of motor vehicle, drive with middle range PCA, driver use mobile phone when not permitted and negligent driving (occasions grievous bodily harm).
The woman was granted conditional bail and will appear in Parramatta Local Court on October 10.