Passenger charged over fatal pedestrian crash at Wollongong, NSW

A man has been charged after a woman died, and two people were hospitalised after being struck by a car at Wollongong last night.

Emergency services were called to the Princes Highway about 10.30pm (Saturday 7 November 2020), after reports a Toyota Camry had lost control, mounted the kerb and struck three pedestrians walking along the footpath, before hitting a power pole.

A 19-year-old woman was found critically injured, with officers from Wollongong Police District performing CPR until the arrival of paramedics.

Two other pedestrians, an 18-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man, were also injured.

A 20-year-old male pedestrian escaped injury.

They were all treated at the scene before being taken to Wollongong Hospital, where the older woman died.

The younger woman is being treated for a fractured pelvis, while the man is being treated for leg and rib fractures.

The Toyota driver, an 18-year-old man, and front seat passenger, a 21-year-old man, were arrested and taken to Wollongong Hospital for mandatory testing. The driver is also being treated for minor injuries and remains in hospital under police guard.

The passenger was taken to Wollongong Police Station and charged with dangerous driving occasioning death- drive manner dangerous, two counts dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm- drive manner dangerous, negligent driving (occasioning death), and negligent driving (occasions grievous bodily harm).

Police will allege in court that the man was occupying the front passenger seat when he pulled the handbrake up prior to the crash.

The Wollongong man was refused bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court tomorrow (Monday 9 November 2020).

As inquiries continue, officers from the Crash Investigation Unit are appealing for anyone with dashcam vision to contact Wollongong Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

/Public Release. View in full here.