Nazareth College student fights for life after being struck by truck
A 17-year-old schoolgirl remains in a critical condition more than a week after being hit by a truck as she was leaving Nazareth College in Mulgrave.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
A 17-year-old schoolgirl remains in hospital fighting for life more than a week after she was struck by a truck.
Willow Griffiths was taken to The Alfred hospital after she was hit while leaving Nazareth College in Mulgrave about 3.15pm on Thursday, February 6.
According to court documents, Willow had emergency brain surgery for her injuries.
A spokesperson from The Alfred said she was in a critical condition as of the morning of February 24.
Chas Nicholson, 50, from Bunyip, faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on the night of Friday, February 7, where he successfully argued to be released on bail.
He was hours earlier charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury.
The court heard Mr Nicholson narrowly missed three other students, with a lollipop lady pulling one student back to safety.
Detective Senior Constable Catherine Ross, from the Major Collision Investigation Unit, told the court Mr Nicholson had been unable to explain why he failed to stop at the red signal.
She said he did not have any alcohol in his system, but police were awaiting blood test results for prescription or illicit drugs.
Police had also seized his mobile phone for analysis to see if he may have been distracted and using it at the time of the crash.
The truck will also be examined for any mechanical faults, she said.
An aggravating feature, Det Ross said, was the fact Mr Nicholson was driving on a suspended licence.
“He stated that he wasn’t aware his licence was suspended,” she said.
All outbound lanes of Police Road, Mulgrave are closed at Jacksons Road, due to a collision. Use the Princes Highway, Wellington Road or the Monash Freeway to avoid the closure. Follow the direction of emergency services and allow extra time. #victraffic pic.twitter.com/W8TtpR19y4
— VicTraffic (@VicTraffic) February 6, 2020
He had been suspended from driving for three months, she said, after accumulating too many demerit points following three speeding tickets in June last year.
He is due to get his licence back on March 16.
Det Ross had not opposed bail on conditions that he not drive a motor vehicle, surrender his passport and not leave the state.
But as magistrate Andrew McKenna agreed to bail on those conditions, confusion arose as to whether Mr Nicholson would be restricted from driving when the prosecutor said it would not be fair as he could be waiting some time for his case to be finalised.
Without opposition from police, it was agreed Mr Nicholson would be able to return to the driver’s seat once his suspension was lifted next month.
Mr McKenna took into consideration Mr Nicholson’s relatively good character with limited prior criminal history, delays in his case being heard, the fact he has a static address and full-time job when granting him bail.
He ordered Mr Nicholson report to Pakenham police station twice a week, and also pay a $10,000 surety.
Mr Nicholson was bailed to return to court on Monday, February 11, for a filing hearing, where his bail was extended.
Dressed in a black suit, he appeared sombre and did not speak during the brief hearing.
Prosecutors requested extra time to compile a hand-up brief while Mr Nicholson’s defence lawyer asked for the address listed on his bail conditions to be changed to an Officer property.
Magistrate Peter Reardon granted both requests.
Mr Nicholson will return to court for a committal mention in June.
Distressed year 12 students told Leader the incident had “shocked” the school community.
It’s understood the school sent VCE students home at 1pm on Thursday and cancelled classes for the rest of the day.
Several students were seen to be visibly upset and hugging each other on Manning Dve on Friday afternoon.
“We are completely shocked and beside ourselves. We’re praying she pulls through,” a year 12 student said.
MORE NEWS
AZIZ HITS BACK AT CASEY COUNCILLORS
WOOLIES SORRY FOR MUM’S SELF-SERVE NIGHTMARE
Another year 12 student said students had been offered counselling.
“We don’t have any words right now — it’s shaken us all,” he said.
Dozens of students are believed to have seen the incident, with many of them left traumatised.
A woman, whose son attends nearby school Wellington Secondary College, said she saw the girl lying on the road in a pool of blood.
“She wasn’t moving,” the woman said.
“I’m pretty sure I saw the tradie that hit her. He was shocked and touching his face.”