North Shore man charged after Mia Rossiter, 12, died in Stonehaven collision

Police have charged a North Shore man over a collision that claimed the life of 12-year-old girl Mia Rossiter and injured several others.

A 28-year-old driver was out on parole when he allegedly ploughed into another car near Geelong, killing a 12-year-old girl and leaving her younger sister fighting for life.

Mia Rossiter died on Wednesday night after a white Holden Commodore collided with the red Holden Barina she was travelling in with her family on the Hamilton Highway in Stonehaven about 9pm.

Mia’s half sister Willow was taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital with life-threatening injuries, but by Friday her condition had stabilised.

Parents Paul, 38, and Danica Rossiter, 36, also remain in hospital in a stable condition.

Jordan Kenyon, 28, from North Shore, was on Saturday charged with breach of parole, driving while suspended, dangerous driving causing death and two counts of dangerous driving causing serious injury.

His passenger, a 21-year-old man from North Shore, also suffered life-threatening injuries.

Mr Kenyon was taken to hospital in a stable condition following the head-on collision, before he was released to be interviewed by detectives.

Mr Kenyon’s parole has been cancelled.

He will front the Geelong Magistrates Court on Monday.

Mia Rossiter, 12, from Lismore, has been remembered as a ‘sweet angel’.

Mia’s half sister Willow, 7, was critically injured.

The Geelong community rallied around Mia’s devastated family, who hail from nearby Lismore, following the collision.

Mia was only weeks away from celebrating her 13th birthday.

A GoFundMe fundraiser, created by family friend Zach Challoner, has received more than 400 donations, raising $26,000 as of Saturday.

“She loved to make jokes, loved to be around everyone,” Mr Challoner said.

“She had a very infectious laugh where you just had to laugh when she started laughing.”

Mr Challoner’s partner added that Mia was an “absolute diehard” Geelong Cats fan.

Emma Hawkins, wife of Cats star Tom Hawkins, was among those who donated to the GoFundMe.

“Sending you our love and thoughts. Mia sounded like an incredible girl with great taste in the football team she supported,” they said.

“We are heartbroken for your loss. Love, the Hawkins family.”

Mia was only weeks away from celebrating her 13th birthday.

Mia with her dad Paul. The Rossiters were ‘diehard’ Cats fans.

Relative Cheryl Rossiter said on Facebook “our family didn’t deserve this”.

“My family means everything to me I love all my family with all my heart,” she wrote.

Jess Prouf, a family friend from Derrinallum, paid tribute on the fundraiser.

“Mia was a beautiful girl whom my step daughters Daisy and Amy Prout and my own daughter Kirra Srdoc were fortunate enough to have been friends,” she wrote.

“Mia will be dearly missed. Our deepest sympathy.”

Jordan Kenyon, 28, has been charged over the collision. Picture: TikTok

Mr Kenyon showing off his ankle bracelets in a TikTok video.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Peter Romanis said the force was “infuriated” as the collision was an “entirely preventable tragedy”.

“It’s the type of collision that infuriates us,” Sergeant Romanis said.

Police said investigators were following up reports the Commodore was seen speeding while overtaking or attempting to overtake other motorists on the Hamilton Highway prior to the collision.

Detectives are also appealing for anyone who saw the Commodore driving in an erratic manner before it was involved in an incident on Evans Rd in Lovely Banks about 7.45pm to come forward.

The white Holden Commodore was allegedly seen driving in an erratic manner. Picture: Channel 9

The aftermath of the smash. Picture: Channel 9

“The incident … wasn’t reported to police at the time however as part of the investigation we now have images and moving vision of the car,” a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.

“The images and vision have been released in the hope it will assist the investigation and any witnesses who may have seen the car.”

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Peter Romanis said it was the type of collision that infuriates police. Picture: Nine News

The Commodore was later towed away. Picture: Nine News

Stonehaven resident Jillian Rough was at home when she heard a “loud bang” about 9pm on Wednesday.

“It’s not a very nice sound. It’s a horrible sound,” Ms Rough said.

“It was very disturbing. I could see it all outside our windows.

“I have never seen so many emergency vehicles.”

Ms Rough said she believed previous incidents along the Hamilton Highway had been a result of people crossing double lines.

Originally published as North Shore man charged after Mia Rossiter, 12, died in Stonehaven collision