Hit-run driver admits fleeing Coburg crash after striking 13yo
A DRIVER who fled a crash that left a 13-year-old girl fighting for life has pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident — but is unlikely to face jail.
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A DRIVER who fled the scene of an accident that left a 13-year-old girl fighting for life today pleaded guilty to fleeing the scene but is likely to escape jail.
Alice Lewis was placed in an induced coma suffering fractures and head injuries after she was flung into the air before hitting the road when she crashed into the black BMW being driven by Thi Nguyen, 42.
However, Ms Nguyen is likely to avoid jail with a charge of dangerous driving causing serious injury dropped by the Crown.
WOMAN ARRESTED OVER COBURG HIT-RUN
Prosecutor Robyn Harper told the County Court today it was not alleged Ms Nguyen’s driving caused of the accident in Bell St Coburg, on November 5 last year.
Ms Harper said a community based order and four year licence suspension would be an appropriate penalty in the circumstances, with Ms Nguyen pleading guilty to leaving the scene of an accident and failing to render assistance.
Defence lawyer Tim Grace said his client panicked and was frightened when she pulled into a side street and didn’t think she had injured anyone before leaving the scene minutes later but had since seen “the error of her ways“.
Mr Grace said the teen had been riding in a “completely reckless fashion”, weaving between cars as she rode against the traffic on her bike while not wearing a helmet.
Ms Nguyen, a beauty parlour owner who lives in St Albans, who has no prior record, told police she did not see what had smashed her passenger side windscreen and mirror.
“Suddenly I heard a bang and I didn’t know what was going on and the windscreen was shattered,” Nguyen told police.
“At the accident I went a bit further and there was an off-street and I pulled over there.
“I was thinking of stopping on Bell Street but there were cars travelling so I couldn’t stop.”
A witness who also pulled into the side street saw Ms Nguyen get out of her car and look at it before hoping back into the vehicle, all the while talking on her mobile.
Ms Nguyen contacted police four days after the crash after seeing a lawyer and handed herself in the following day.
The court heard neither Alice Lewis nor her family had taken up the opportunity to provide a victim impact statement.
Judge Gabriele Cannon didn’t accept that Nguyen didn’t know anyone had been injured. “She left her for dead, didn’t she?” she said to Mr Grace.
Judge Cannon adjourned the matter so Ms Nguyen’s suitability for a road trauma program could be assessed.
Nguyen, who is on bail, will return to court on August 17 for further plea and sentence.