Suspended driver charged of crash that killed 12-year-old

A man who was on parole and suspended from driving has been charged over a horror crash that killed a 12-year-old girl.

A parolee who was suspended from driving has been charged with allegedly causing a horror head-on crash that killed a 12-year-old girl on a highway west of Melbourne.

Mia Rossiter was travelling with her family on the Hamilton Hwy near Stonehaven about 9pm on Wednesday when a white Holden Berlina ploughed into their car.

The 12-year-old, who was a rear passenger of the family’s red Holden Barina, tragically died at the scene, while her parents, aged 26 and 38, were rushed to hospital.

Mia Rossiter, 12, from Lismore, was killed after a Holden Berlina allegedly smashed into her family's car in Stonehaven, near Geelong. Picture: Supplied

Police announced on Saturday the driver of the Berlina, 28-year-old Jordan Kenyon, had since been charged with dangerous driving causing death after the crash.

The North Shore man was also charged with breaching parole, as well as driving while his license was suspended and two counts of dangerous driving causing serious injury.

Mr Kenyon’s parole was revoked by police and he will remain in custody on remand to appear before Geelong Magistrates Court on January 8.

Mia and her dad, both avid Geelong supporters. Picture: Facebook

The fatal crash, one of two involving children just days into the new year, sent shockwaves through the local community.

Another child, seven-year-old Willow, who was in the Lismore family’s Berlina and was rushed to hospital following the crash.

Jordan Kenyon, 28, was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death. Picture: TikTok

Mr Kenyon showed off his ankle bracelets in a TikTok video on October 18. Picture: Tik Tok

Friend of the family Zach Challoner said the accident was a tragedy, with parents Paul and Danni Rossiter and daughter Willow all still in hospital.

“Mia’s parents are in two different hospitals. Willow also went to a separate hospital, so the whole family’s been torn apart by the situation,” he said.

“She loved to make jokes, loved to be around everyone. She had a very infectious laugh where you just had to laugh when she started laughing.”

A GoFundMe campaign set up by Mr Challoner and Cheyenne Bourne to help the Rossiter family has already raised $26,000 as of Saturday.

Willow Rossiter, Mia’s sister, was also injured in the crash. Picture: Supplied

“It’s amazing to see the wonderful community get behind a lovely family,” the pair wrote in an update to the campaign on Friday.

“Thank you to each and everyone of you who have helped spread this and provide support for great friends of ours.”

Friends and family of Mia and the Rossiter family mourned the loss of the young girl online following the crash.

“Mia was a beautiful girl whom my step daughters ... and my own daughter ... were fortunate enough to have been friends,” said one person.

The scene of the accident, where the child died. PICTURE: NCA Newswire / Nicki Connolly

Another added: “The family and the community of Lismore need support at this awful time. Be strong.”

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.”

A 21-year-old man who was a passenger of Barina, and who was also from the North Shore, was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

A Victoria Police spokesperson said they had received reports of the Berlina allegedly driving at speed, overtaking commuters just prior to the collision.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Peter Romanis said police were “infuriated” with the man’s alleged driving, believing the fatal crash was an “entirely preventable tragedy”.

Originally published as Suspended driver charged of crash that killed 12-year-old