'Drunk driver' charged over Phillip Island crash which killed toddler
An alleged drunk driver has been charged with a string of offences following the fatal collision at Phillip Island last December, which claimed the life of a 15-month-old girl.
The toddler died on the way to see the penguins after her family’s Mazda sedan was hit by a Mercedes, which drove through a stop sign on December 17.
The 24-year-old driver allegedly had alcohol in his system and was reportedly speeding before the crash, which occurred on Smiths Beach Road near the intersection of Back Beach Road about 7.30pm.
The toddler was in the back seat with her mother at the time, while her father and nine-year-old sister were in the front and received only minor injuries.
The occupants of the car travelling behind the family stopped to perform CPR on the girl's tiny body. She was airlifted to hospital but died a short time later.
The four passengers in the Mercedes were not injured in the collision.
The 24-year-old man was charged with the following offences:
culpable driving causing death,
dangerous driving causing death,
conduct endangering life,
drive under the influence of intoxicating liquor
exceed prescribed concentration of alcohol, and
fail to stop at a stop sign.
He was bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on February 10 for a filing hearing.
