A 27 year old Nepali man, Sandeep Adhikari, has been charged with negligent driving occasioning death after a three-year-old girl was fatally struck by a four wheel drive in a driveway in Auburn, western Sydney, on Tuesday.
Police said the girl was playing in a communal driveway on Normanby Road when she was hit as the vehicle pulled in, around 2:05 pm. She was treated at the scene before being taken in critical condition to Westmead Hospital, where she later died.
Adhikari was not injured and was taken to Auburn Hospital for mandatory testing before being charged at Auburn Police Station. He appeared at Burwood Local Court on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after the incident, and has not yet entered a plea. He is now on bail under strict conditions, including daily police reporting and a ban on driving, and is due back in court on October 27.
Adhikari reportedly apologised to reporters outside court, saying he was really sorry. His lawyer, Danny Eid, said his client was distressed following the incident and concerned about the girl's family.
“He’s asked me to relay his deep sadness to the whole family..." Eid said.
As the case remains before the court, the allegations against Adhikari have not been proven, and he has not yet entered a plea. The matter has been adjourned to October 27 for Adhikari's next court appearance.
