By Cassandra Morgan
On a bright Melbourne morning during school drop-off hour, three-year-old Mila was crossing busy Heatherton Road with family members when she was struck by a car.
Sounds of the horrific crash echoed through nearby backyards in Melbourne’s suburban south-east, followed by terrified cries, turning an otherwise normal Thursday morning into a nightmare.
Three-year-old Mila died after she was struck by a car at Endeavour Hills.Credit: Facebook
Mila was crossing the busy Endeavour Hills road at a pedestrian crossing, near the intersection of James Cook Drive, about 8.30am.
The alleged driver of the car that struck Mila, a 24-year-old Endeavour Hills man, stopped at the scene and was later arrested by police.
Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives have charged the man with dangerous driving causing serious injury, and he was bailed to face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. Police also flagged he could face more charges.
Mila was rushed to Dandenong Hospital, then transferred to the Royal Children’s Hospital in critical condition. Police confirmed on Friday morning she had died there.
Her mother, Wenna Lin, took to a local community group on social media, pleading for help from her neighbours who may have caught the incident on CCTV or dashcam.
“Please if anyone see the truth let the police know,” Lin wrote.
“I can see Mila’s face looked so worried every time I close my eyes.
“Mummy is here for you. Love you Mila!”
A child’s scooter, abandoned at the scene of the Endeavour Hills collision.Credit: Joe Armao
In the photo Lin shared of her daughter online, the three-year-old grins joyfully reclining on a beanbag, her hands behind her head, wearing a T-shirt and shorts printed with colourful dinosaurs.
Hundreds of people offered Lin their support, remembering “little Mila” and sharing their condolences.
Heatherton Road is notorious for accidents, according to locals, and is close to multiple schools.
Damien Sawyer, who is running as an independent in the City of Casey council elections, said: “This tragic incident highlights the urgent need for more measures to protect our community, especially our children.
“Whether it’s improving pedestrian crossings, lowering speed limits near schools, or increasing road safety education, we must take immediate steps to prevent accidents like this from happening again.”
Melinda Ambros, another resident standing as an independent candidate, said children, parents and the wider community had to contend with the danger of Heatherton Road every day.
“Too many lives have been impacted here, and we need to take action before more families suffer,” Ambros said.
“Residents specifically emphasised that the intersection needs a dedicated traffic light, design changes for safer crossings, a manned crossing guard, flashing lights to warn drivers of the upcoming pedestrian crossing, and possibly even a pedestrian bridge.
“We’re not just asking for improvements; we’re asking for life-saving measures.”
Part of the pedestrian crossing falls on an 80km/h stretch of the road, while another part falls on an adjacent service road with a speed limit of 50km/h.
A small, red sign is erected on the median strip between them, reading: “Safe routes to schools recommended crossing point.”
Jen Bednar, the acting chief executive for the City of Casey, said the council would continue to advocate to the state government for reduced speed zones, more time for pedestrians to cross intersections, and red-light and speed cameras “where there are large numbers of school student pedestrians”.
Police are investigating after a child was hit by a car in Endeavour Hills.Credit: Joe Armao
“We send our deepest condolences to Mila’s family,” Bednar said in a statement.
“Council will continue to be updated about the circumstances surrounding the incident once an investigation by Victoria Police and the Department of Transport and Planning has been completed.”
A Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson offered their condolences on Friday, saying: “Any life lost on our roads is a tragedy. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by yesterday’s devastating incident, especially family members and friends.”
Heatherton Road, which sits close to the Monash Freeway, has been the site of multiple fatal crashes in recent years.
In July 2023, an 87-year-old man was walking on nearby Power Road when he was fatally struck by an oncoming vehicle. A 63-year-old woman was killed in 2021, after she stopped to help a man who had also crashed in the area.
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