A Sydney woman has been committed to stand trial after driving her car on the wrong side of the road and crashing into a motorcycle, injuring the rider and his pillion.
Molly Cahill, 22, of Sans Souci appeared in Sutherland Local Court today. She was committed to stand trial on June 18 on two charges of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, failing to stop and render assistance after impact and not keeping left of a dividing line.
Her bail conditions of a strict curfew, passport confiscation and daily reports to police were continued.
The injured rider is Tony Nissirios, 38, and his injured pillion is his female partner Sam, 26. They were transported to St George Hospital.
Tony suffered multiple leg fractures and Sam had a broken wrist. Their current conditions are not confirmed at this stage but it was feared Tony would need his leg amputated.
Committed driver bailed
Police will allege Cahill was driving a Peugeot hatchback on the wrong side of Forest Road in Peakhurst about 1.20am (Monday 8 April 2019) when she hit the motorcycle head-on.
The rider and pillion were thrown from the bike and suffered multiple fractures.
Police will allege the driver left the scene, dumped her car nearby and texted “I think I’ve hit someone”.
She was later arrested at her Sans Souci home and taken to Kogarah Police Station. She was granted bail the following day in Sutherland Local Court.
Spate of hit-run incidents
The incident follows a worrying spate of hit-and-run crashes leaving motorcyclists injured and dead.
In NSW, the requirement for those involved in a crash to remain at the scene until police arrive was dropped in 2014, even if a tow truck is required.
However, the motorists must report the incident to police and remain at the scene if anyone is injured.
If they don’t, police can charge a motorist with failing to stop at the scene of an accident which is considered a serious offence.
Depending on whether someone is injured or killed in the crash, the motorist responsible could face serious charges with up to 10 years in jail.
Police say motorists leaving an accident scene where someone is injured decrease a victim’s chance of survival.