Source : Perth Now news
Fresh charges have been laid against the teenage P-plater accused of driving into a crowd of Newcastle Knights supporters at Wallsend, as police allege 10 people were struck in the October 3 incident.
NSW Police on Tuesday night announced the 18-year-old had been served with eight additional charges after further investigations into the crash at the Newcastle Link Rd and Transfield Dr roundabout.
The new offences include dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, and six counts of cause bodily harm by misconduct in charge of a motor vehicle.
The accused, Indika Samarasinghe, had already faced court over the crash and was remanded in custody after a brief appearance before the bail court the day after the crash. He did not apply for bail and it was formally refused.
Emergency services were called to the scene about 9.30am on Saturday, October 3, after a vehicle allegedly hit multiple pedestrians who had gathered to support the Knights ahead of the NRL grand final.
Police alleged the people struck were part of a large crowd farewelling the team as tens of thousands of supporters lined Newcastle streets.
Ten people were injured and treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital.
A GoFundMe page set up for a five-year-old girl and her mother stated the child had undergone multiple operations and had been placed in an induced coma, while her mother was also seriously injured.
“Both mum and child now have a long road ahead of them, with ongoing surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation and recovery. Sadly, because of the severity of their injuries, mum not will be able to work for some time,” the page read.
“Our biggest hope is that this family can focus on what matters most — getting through each day, supporting their little one, and recovering together.”
In the aftermath of the crash, messages of support poured in from across Newcastle and the rugby league world.
Newcastle Knights captain Kalyn Ponga posted: “Our hearts are with everyone affected in Wallsend this morning.
“We’re thinking of you, your families and everyone in our Newcastle community. Sending our love and support.”
Knights chief executive Peter Parr said what should have been a celebratory send-off for the club had turned into “a distressing morning”.
“Our thoughts and prayers are first and foremost with everyone who has been injured, their families and loved ones, and everyone who witnessed what occurred this morning,” he said.
Police Minister Yasmin Catley described the incident as “an absolute tragedy” and “a tragedy that needn’t have happened, a tragedy that was preventable”.
The matter is due back before Newcastle Local Court on Thursday.
