A suburb in Sydney is grieving after a pregnant woman was fatally struck during a two-car crash — and a 19-year-old man is now facing multiple driving charges.
Police in New South Wales said the 33-year-old woman was walking in Hornsby around 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14, accompanied by her husband and their 3-year-old child, according to reports from 7News, News.com.au and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
Assistant Commissioner David Driver explained that a Kia slowed to allow the family to cross near the entrance to a parking garage when a white BMW allegedly crashed into the Kia from behind.
“As a result of that crash, the Kia impacted with a 33-year-old female,” Driver said at a press briefing. “She is now deceased, and very sadly, she was also eight months pregnant, and her unborn child has also died.”
The BMW was driven by a 19-year-old man, while a 48-year-old man was behind the wheel of the Kia. Neither vehicle had other passengers, and both drivers were transported to Hornsby Hospital for mandatory testing. Neither man was injured, the outlets reported.
Shortly after midnight on Saturday, Nov. 15, police arrested the 19-year-old at a home in Wahroonga. He has since been charged with dangerous driving occasioning death, negligent driving occasioning death, and causing the loss of a fetus following the death of a pregnant woman. He was denied bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Sunday, Nov. 16.
“Any serious crash is very confronting for first responders and particularly tragic when people pass away and indeed when there are children involved,” Driver said, noting how difficult the scene was for those who arrived to help. “This is a terrible, terrible story.”
The community has been leaving flowers and messages at the scene. One card, shared by News.com.au, expressed deep sorrow for the family:
“Words can’t describe how sorry I am that this has happened to you. It was a great privilege to be present with you for those moments. I pray for you and your little one, that you are held with love as you leave this world.”
The Crash Investigation Unit of New South Wales Police is continuing to investigate and is urging anyone with information or dashcam footage to contact authorities.
