Carla Benson awake after week in coma following alleged hit and run at Gympie

A Queensland woman, who together with her husband was allegedly run down by a drunk driver, has marked a major step in her recovery as her shellshocked niece reveals the “long road” ahead.

Carla Benson, who was left in critical condition after she and her husband were run down by an alleged drunk driver while walking their dogs has taken a major step forward in her recovery, waking after a week-long fight for her life in a coma.

A 32-year-old woman left fighting for her life after being run down by an alleged drunk driver while walking her dogs has woken from a week-long coma.

Carla Benson had been in a critical condition since she and her husband Brett, 41 were allegedly run down on a Gympie road on Monday, May 22.

The couple had allegedly been involved in an argument with 34-year-old Colin James Tupper who is charged with two counts of attempted murder, one count of driving while over the middle alcohol limit, one count of failing to remain at the scene and one count of wilful damage.

The Benson’s niece, Karissa, said Wednesday Carla was now awake but had suffered “life changing” injuries.

A week-long search for two-year-old female kelpie Chopper, who was being walked by Brett and Carla Benson when they were injured on the night of Monday May 22, 2023, ended with the dog being found unhurt a few hundred metres from the scene.

She said Carla faced a “very, very long road to recovery”, and Brett, who suffered a broken kneecap, had never once left her side despite his own shock.

“Brett’s been (at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital) every day,” Ms Benson said.

“He’s spent every day at the hospital, 9am to 9pm.”

On Monday the couple’s beloved two-year-old kelpie cattle cross Chopper, who had been missing since the incident, was found a few hundred metres away from the scene following a seven-day search.

“She was anxious and scared,” Ms Benson said.

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Brett Benson (left) never left Carla’s side (right) while she fought for life at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, the couple’s niece Karissa Benson said.

The dog was unhurt and has been reunited with the couple’s other dog Styx at a family member’s home in Brisbane.

Ms Benson said Styx had suffered a scratch to the leg but had “stayed the whole time” with the Bensons following the alleged hit and run.

Karissa Benson (pictured) has thanked the Gympie community for its support for her aunt and uncle, Carla and Brett Benson, after they were injured in an alleged hit and run while walking their dogs at Gympie.

The couple recently started small business Clean Beanz, working around the Gympie and Sunshine Coast regions, and now faces an extended period with no income.

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This means they have no source of income, or income protection.

A GoFundMe campaign launched by Ms Benson has so far raised more than $4500.

Ms Benson said she wanted to thank the Gympie community who had come together to help support the family and search for Chopper.

“The community of Gympie went all out … it was so nice to see,” she said.

“We’re so grateful.”

Mr Tupper has not entered a plea or applied for bail.

Originally published as Carla Benson awake after week in coma following alleged hit and run at Gympie