Faith Patolo-Vitale charged over Shalaney Velasquez’s death in M5 Motorway crash
A young woman has been charged after a fiery two-car smash on a Sydney motorway which tragically claimed the life of her friend, and left her brother and another friend critically injured in hospital.
St George Shire Standard
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A young woman has been charged over her friend’s tragic death in a fiery smash between her hatchback and a bus on a Sydney motorway, which also left her and two others seriously injured.
Faith Patolo-Vitale was just 19 when her car allegedly ran up the back of 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, tragically died of her injuries a week after the crash when she was trapped in the back seat of the Mazda 3.
Patolo-Vitale’s brother Aliamanu, 18, and their friend Lisa Aitoa, 18, were also severely injured in the crash.
Surgeons at Liverpool Hospital worked desperately through the night of Easter Sunday to save Ms Velasquez but there was nothing they could do for the tragic teen.
Patolo-Vitale has now been charged with eight alleged offences over the devastating smash, including 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, who remained in Liverpool Hospital for two months after the shocking smash.
For the first time court documents reveal an insight into the freak crash with the empty coach in the breakdown lane.
“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 was granted bail and will next face Downing Centre Local Court on April 2.
On Facebok 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.”
