Faith Patolo-Vitale charged over Shalaney Velasquez’s death in M5 crash
A 20-year-old will face trial later this year accused of causing a fatal motorway crash which claimed her friend’s life. She will also face charges relating to severe injuries suffered by her own brother and another friend in the crash.
St George Shire Standard
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A young woman accused of causing a fiery Sydney motorway smash which claimed her friend’s life will face trial charged with dangerous driving causing death.
Faith Patolo-Vitale, 20, was charged after her Mazda 3 allegedly smashed into a stationary Murrays bus in a breakdown lane on the M5 Motorway near Beverly Hills on April 21 last year.
Her friend Shalaney Velasquez, 19, was trapped in the back seat and tragically died of her injuries a week after the crash.
Patolo-Vitale’s brother Aliamanu, 18, and their friend Lisa Aitoa, 18, were also severely injured.
At Downing Centre District Court on June 12 the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions confirmed Patolo-Vitale will face trial on December 7 charged with dangerous and negligent driving causing Ms Velasquez’ death.
The Bexley woman has also been charged with causing bodily harm by misconduct and dangerous and negligent driving causing grievous bodily harm to her brother Aliamanu and Ms Aitoa.
“Patolo-Vitale did (allegedly), by certain misconduct, drive in an unsafe manner by driving a motor vehicle in a shoulder area of a road, impacting with another vehicle and causing bodily harm,” police allege in court documents.
Patolo-Vitale is on bail ahead of her trial, which is expected to last seven days.
On Facebook Patolo-Vitale recently posted a smiling photo of her wearing a hoodie emblazoned with an image of Ms Velasquez adorned with angel wings.
Another photo of the pair together with Ms Aitoa is simply captioned “will always be my heart”.
All three were devoted Christians and had posted a video of them playing volleyball together just hours before the tragedy tore their lives apart.
Ms Aitoa thanked her family and friends for their support in a heartfelt public social media post when she was discharged from hospital two months after the crash.
“This whole experience still is stressful, long and very emotional but above all a blessing in disguise,” Ms Aitoa wrote.
“Without it, I wouldn’t be able to know the importance of life and how valuable it can be.”
Ms Aitoa, who had lifesaving surgery when she was admitted to Liverpool Hospital alongside Ms Velasquez, also made a special tribute to her late friend.
“Shalaney, April 21, 7:21pm we entered Liverpool Hospital – June 21, 8:36pm I left the hospital holding your photo,” Ms Aitoa wrote.
“My heart broke once I found out and to this day it still is.
“This fight to heal is not only for me but especially for you – I know you’re in a better place but I miss you so much.”