Zhou Hai Lu free to drive again after being charged over Blackburn North fatal crash of schoolboy Jack Power
The grandmother of slain schoolboy Jack Power has renewed calls for motorists to be more vigilant as the man who allegedly mowed him down was today free to drive again.
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The grandmother of slain schoolboy Jack Power has renewed calls for motorists to be more vigilant as the man who allegedly mowed him down was today free to drive again.
Lyn Kosner said it was “hard” to see her 10-year-old grandson’s alleged killer have his bail condition restricting him from driving removed at Melbourne Magistrates Court.
The court heard Zhou Hui Lu had a good driving history before he allegedly ran a red light and struck Jack as he crossed Springfield Rd in Blackburn North on August 18.
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The Croydon boy was taken to hospital, where he died on August 21.
“The message has got to be out there to be more careful on our roads,” Ms Kosner said, outside court.
“I say to all drivers: Just concentrate. Just be there on the road and nothing else.”
Her road safety plea comes as the family were relieved a defence application for Jack’s six-year-old sister Steph to be called to give evidence against Mr Lu was refused.
Steph and a 13-year-old friend, who has also been cleared from giving evidence in court, were with Jack walking to the shops when he was hit.
“We’re really relieved. Both little girls have been through enough,” Ms Kosner said.
She said the family, in particular Jack’s parents Bonnie and Matt, was still “reeling” over Jack’s death.
“Every single day we miss him dearly,” she said.
Prosecutor Lisa Andrews told the court a witness heard one of the girl’s telling a family member in the aftermath: “We did nothing wrong. It was green.”
Ms Andrews detailed how a passer-by who heard a “thud” before seeing the two girls running would also be called to give evidence.
“She says the driver had a red light. She also hears a tick, tick, ticking noise that accompanies the green man,” she said.
The red signal at these traffic lights, Ms Andrews said, could only be activated if a pedestrian had hit the button to cross.
Mr Lu, 45, has been charged with dangerous driving causing death.
He remains on bail and will return to court in July for a two-day hearing, where five witnesses, including a crash reconstruction expert and two nearby residents who heard the crash and rushed to the scene, will give evidence.
The hearing will determine if there is enough evidence for him to stand trial.