Bendigo grandmother's body found by roadside, friend's daughter accused of hit-and-run
A night of celebration has ended in tragedy after a Bendigo grandmother was fatally struck by a car, which was allegedly being driven by her best friend’s daughter.
The pair had been socialising together just hours before Tracey Kemp’s body was discovered at the side of the road in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Taylor Hocking, 19, has since been charged with a series of offences including dangerous driving causing death.
Ms Hocking had driven five people, including Ms Kemp, to a 21st Birthday party at a local pub.
An argument reportedly took place and Ms Kemp decided to walk home shortly after midnight.
Her boyfriend Slav told 7 News he was driving to collect her and was talking to her on the phone when the call suddenly ended, but there was no scream or crash sound.
He drove to the pub but couldn't find her and returned home, later realising the heartbreaking twist that he had driven past Tracey as she lay next to the road.
Victoria Police said a passing motorist discovered the victim after spotting her handbag lying on the side of the road.
The motorist ran to a nearby house for help.
“We didn't know if she was alive or dead at the time but he was doing CPR on her until the police arrived,” local Cass Adams said.
A suspect car was found soon after the alleged hit-and-run, about a five-minute drive from where the victim was found.
The car had crashed into a tree and the driver was gone.
Police delicately removed forensic evidence from the car's windscreen and said it remained a mystery why the driver’s window was smashed.
Late on Sunday, police executed a warrant at a house in north Bendigo and removed bags of evidence that mostly included clothing.
Speaking to 7 News, Ms Hocking’s grandfather said he had broken down on hearing the news: “I'm 84, I couldn't take any more”.
News break – August 14
