Alleged drunk driver charged with 20 offences after four children killed in Oatlands crash | 7NEWS

Four children have died, and a fifth is in a critical condition, after they were hit by an alleged drunk driver while riding their bicycles in Oatlands in Sydney's northwest last night.

The children were riding on the footpath on their way to buy ice cream at the time of the crash.

The driver of the vehicle has been charged with 20 offences and will face court today.

Police statement: A man will appear in court today charged after four children were killed and three others were injured following a crash in Sydney’s north-west yesterday. Just before 8pm (Saturday 1 February 2020), emergency services were called to Bettington Road, Oatlands, following reports multiple pedestrians had been struck by a vehicle. Police have been told the children were on the footpath when a Mitsubishi Triton utility allegedly mounted the kerb and struck the children. Four children – three girls, aged 8, 11, and 12, and a 13-year-old boy - died at the scene. An 11-year-old boy and two girls, aged 10 and 13, were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. The boy remains in a serious but stable condition while the girls are stable. Officers from The Hills Police Area Command established a crime scene, which has been examined by specialist police from the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit. The driver, a 29-year-old man, and a 24-year-old male passenger were uninjured. The driver was subjected to a roadside breath test and returned a positive result. He was arrested and taken to Castle Hill Police Station where he was subjected to a breath analysis which allegedly returned a reading of 0.150. He was also taken to hospital to undergo mandatory testing.

The driver has now been charged with 20 offences,

• four counts of manslaughter,

• four counts of dangerous driving occasioning death - drive under influence,

• four counts of dangerous driving occasioning death - drive manner dangerous,

• dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm - drive under the influence

• dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm - drive manner dangerous

• two counts of cause bodily harm by misconduct, in charge of motor vehicle,

• negligent driving (occasioning death),

• negligent driving (occasioning grievous bodily harm),

• drive with high range PCA,

• proceed through red traffic light (not toll booth)

He has been refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court today (Sunday 2 February 2020).

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