Elderly woman, 71, charged with dangerous driving over three-year-old boy's death
A Sydney woman has been charged with dangerous driving causing death over a crash which killed a young boy in the city's northwest on Wednesday afternoon.
A 71-year-old woman will appear in court next month over the incident, Detective Chief Inspector Phillip Brooks revealed on Thursday.
The three-year-old was hit by a car while walking with his mother on Abuklea Road in Eastwood at about 4pm.
NSW Ambulance paramedics transported the boy to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, where he died a short time later, police said.
Police remained on the scene for some time on Wednesday. Source: 7 News
The mother of the boy didn’t require any medical treatment for injuries.
"Sadly, this matter only highlights the risks that are on our roads that have resulted in this driver being charged with dangerous driving causing death," Mr Brooks told reporters in Sydney.
The elderly woman was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death, and negligent driving occasioning death.
The young boy was one of eight fatalities in 24-hours across the state, prompting police to urge road users to take more care.
A shoe sits in the crash scene. Source: 7 News
So far this year 212 people have died on NSW roads and while that's down six on the same time last year, police are concerned that 154 deaths have occurred in rural areas.
"This is certainly a plea for all road users, particularly those in rural NSW, to please take extra care on our roads," Mr Brooks said.
In the latest incident, two people died in a fiery truck crash in northern NSW.
Emergency services were called to Giro, north of Gloucester, about 4.30am on Thursday after the truck ran off the road and burst into flames.
The force of the crash allegedly dented the car's front bumper (right). A lunchbox is among the debris (centre). Source: 7 News
Police believe only two people were inside the truck, with forensic officers examining the scene as the salvage operation continues.
Mr Brooks says drivers are beginning to become complacent, even when conditions are perfect.
"Personal responsibility, on the part of drivers, riders, cyclists and pedestrians, needs to account for their behaviour on our roads," he said.
The latest incident saw two people die after a fiery truck crash. Source: 7 News
About 250,000 speeding tickets were issued in the 2015/16 financial year - an increase of 25,000 in the previous period.
Mr Brooks says the figures show why local police are fed up with having to attend fatal accidents.
"There is never a more sombre duty for a police officer than knocking on the door of a family at three o'clock in the morning to tell them that their loved one won't be coming home," Mr Brooks said.
The 71-year-old woman was granted bail and is due to appear at Burwoord Local Court on Monday, August 14.
