Woman charged over Monash University hit-run that killed student Nisali Perera
A woman has been charged over a fatal hit-run that killed student Nisali Perera outside Monash University’s Clayton campus.
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A woman has been charged over a hit-run crash that claimed the life of a Monash University student last Thursday.
Nisali Perera, 20, was killed when a car allegedly ploughed through a red light and hit her as she was crossing Wellington Rd beside the Clayton university campus about 9.45pm.
Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives charged have charged 33-year-old Lauren Hindes today after she was arrested at an address in Officer yesterday.
She was charged with being an accessory to the commission of an indictable offence.
She will appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court this afternoon.
Bayswater man Shane Cochrane, 37, was also arrested yesterday.
He remains in custody and is assisting police with their enquiries.
Ms Perera, 20, was struck at “significant speed” as she was crossing the road at a green pedestrian light.
She had almost made it safety across Wellington Rd in Clayton when she was mowed down, police revealed on Monday.
Victoria Police investigators yesterday released CCTV and photos of two people they wanted to question.
The pair — Shane Cochrane, 37, from Bayswater, and Lauren Hindes, 33, from the Clayton area — was seen on CCTV nearby at the time of the incident.
Detective Inspector Stuart McGregor said the international student had been doing “everything right” when she was hit.
“She was walking across at a green man signal, she was doing everything right and had almost made it across the intersection when a dark coloured Mazda station wagon went through a red light,” he said.
Det Insp McGregor said a number of witnesses had come forward, telling police two people were in the car.
“We’re looking at the fact that it was a male driving the car at the time,” he said.
“We’ve been able to track down CCTV footage that depicts a male and a female walking away from the scene at the time of the collision.
“They’re the ones we believe can supply us with the information we desperately need to bring this matter to a close for the family of the poor victim.”
‘WONDERFUL PERSON LIVING A WONDERFUL LIFE’
Ms Perera, an only child, was studying Commerce and Business Psychology at Monash University’s Clayton campus.
Her parents were reportedly “so proud” of their daughters travels and achievements in Australia.
“She by all accounts appears to have been a wonderful person living a wonderful life — loved by all her family,” Det Insp McGregor said.
“The family are absolutely devastated.
“She’s from Sri Lanka which means her family are in two continents — absolutely devastated by the loss of this poor victim who was just trying to walk from Monash University, across the road.”
Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives said at the weekend that Perera — an adventurous international student with a passion for photography and travel — was crossing Wellington Rd, near Scenic Boulevard, when she was hit about 9.45pm.
The vehicle was later found dumped at a property on North Rd in Clayton about 11pm.
Perera was remembered on the weekend by mourning friends overseas for her deep passion for travel.
The 20-year-old Sri Lankan student was killed just metres from the campus gates.
Her friends back home in Sri Lanka were devastated when they heard she had died in such a cruel way.
“Everyone is quite disturbed by what happened,” friend Rashmika told the Herald Sun.
“All her friends in (Sri) Lanka miss her so much. She is now in a better place.”
Her friend said Ms Perera had big plans.
“She was someone who was very passionate about travelling to new places,” the friend said.
“She wanted to visit Bali this December. She loved photography.”
Ms Perera had been in for Melbourne for more than a year.
Over that time she had visited many famous sites, including the Brighton beach boxes, the Dandenong Ranges and Puffing Billy.
She documented her travels across her two Instagram pages.
In May, she visited Sydney and posted pictures atop sandstone cliffs along the beach.
“Climbing up cliffs or finding the perfect spot for VBs was not part of the plan visiting Bondi at the time,” she wrote.
“But could not have asked for a better day with a bunch of adventurous mates.”
Another friend took to social media to express her sadness.
“Rest in Peace, Nangi,” Demintha Chathuraka Jayasinghe wrote. “Another life lost because of a reckless driver.”
Monash staff encouraged students to seek assistance in their grief and offered condolences to the family, who the Herald Sun understands are on their way to Australia.
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“Monash University is deeply saddened to hear that police confirmed a student was fatally struck by a car last night on Wellington Road near the Clayton campus,” a Monash spokesman said.
“The university extends its condolences to the victim’s family and friends, and all those affected by this tragedy.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au.