Bankstown woman denied bail over attempt to murder after Blue Mountains crash

A woman who allegedly caused a deliberate truck crash with her child in the car – by driving into the path of an oncoming semi trailer – has been refused bail over an attempted murder charge.

The car involved in the head-on collision. PICTURE: TVSN

A woman accused of deliberately driving into the path of an oncoming semi-trailer with her young child in the car, causing a head-on smash, has been refused bail over an attempted murder charge.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Penrith Local Court via video link where she made a second bail application after being charged with attempt to murder by other means.

On January 22, a car collided with a semi trailer truck while travelling on the Great Western Hwy near the Blue Mountains.

Police will allege the collision was a domestic violence related murder attempt by the woman.

The court heard the woman allegedly “struggled with police” at the scene of the crash and “resisted rescue efforts by holding her daughter in the car while it was on fire”, according to allegations made by the officer in charge.

The car involved in the head-on collision. PICTURE: TVSN

In trying to show cause for bail, a defence solicitor cited the woman’s “vulnerability” and mental state as reasons for her being at liberty, explaining she would benefit from being with her family.

“This is her first time in custody, her mental health issues which are related to the offending behaviour including a history of PTSD and post natal depression increases her vulnerability,” the solicitor said.

After reading a police fact sheet tendered to the court, Magistrate George Breton remarked the woman was lucky to be alive after making “a relatively spontaneous decision” to cause the head-on smash.

“She seems to have made a relatively spontaneous decision to move her car into the path of a semi trailer which eventuate in a physical collision, injuries and a fire, as a result it is a great fortune she [and her child] did not die” Mr Breton said.

In outlining why bail should not be granted, the prosecutor referred to “a strong prosecution case” mounted on a police fact sheet and admissions allegedly made by the woman to bystanders on the scene and later to corrective services staff.

Ultimately the woman was denied bail, with Magistrate Breton deeming there were “real risks” in putting her back into the community due to an “inability to resist psychological urges to hurt herself and others”.