Driver interviewed after Calvin Wijeweera’s death at Carlingford
Police have interviewed the elderly driver involved in the death of a teenager killed after being struck by a car in Sydney’s northwest. Meanwhile, find out how the victim’s devastated family has found a compassionate way to honour their son.
Parramatta
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A 90-year old woman behind the wheel of a sedan that struck and killed a teen at Carlingford has been interviewed by police but charges have not been laid following the tragedy that rocked the community.
Crash Investigation Unit specialist officers and Ryde police continue inquiries into the fatality that occurred on December 1 when Calvin Wijeweera was walking towards Carlingford Court shopping centre with schoolmates about 11.20am.
A Mitsubishi Lancer sedan struck the Carlingford High School 17-year-old, mounted the kerb and crashed into a mechanic’s van in the driveway of a house on Rembrandt St.
Another boy was struck but survived the incident.
Western Sydney Health Service has confirmed that the Epping driver has been discharged from Westmead Hospital as inquiries continue.
Calvin’s parents Sandun and Anoma, and older sister Ovindi, have just endured their first Christmas without the aspiring aeronautical engineer who was laid to rest on December 14 after a funeral which paid tribute to the boy who touched hundreds of hearts.
However, hope emerged from grief with the Wijeweera family forming the Calvin Wijeweera Foundation in his honour.
The fledgling charity has been established to help disadvantaged high school students in Sri Lanka receive free tuition, particularly those who aspire to study engineering just as Calvin had hoped.
His sister Ovindi explained how despite her family being Catholics, they were also influenced by Buddhism, the dominant religion in their homeland of Sri Lanka.
“Around 70 per cent of all Sri Lankans are Buddhist and, in the Buddhist teachings, when you’re met with misfortune you want to do something to help others,’’ she said.
“We wanted to do something for my brother. Even though he’s not here, we wanted to channel all our sadness to do something positive for someone else.’’
Ovindi, 23, was on holiday in Singapore when she learned of his death that has since consumed her life with grief.
During her eulogy at St Gerard Majella’s Catholic Church, the proud sibling praised her brother as “handsome, brilliant, athletic”.
“You had a short life but a tremendously beautiful one,’’ she said.
“Though your life was only 17 years long, you have touched the hearts of hundreds of people.’’
Donations can be made to the Calvin Wijeweera Foundation via GoFundMe page co-ordinated by North Parramatta Sinhala School, which he attended to learn more about his Sri Lankan heritage.
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