An alleged drunk driver has been charged with four counts of manslaughter and more than a dozen other driving offences, after four children were killed while riding their bikes on a Sydney footpath last night.
Seven children were allegedly struck by the 4WD on Bettington Road, Oatlands just before 8pm yesterday.
The group were riding their bikes to get ice cream when they were hit.
Three of the deceased children are siblings: Anthony, 13; Angelina, 12; and Sienna, nine.
A fourth child, a female relative aged 11, also died at the scene.
A 11-year-old boy and two girls – aged 10 and 13 – were also struck by the car.
They remain in stable conditions in hospital.
A 29-year-old man, local to the area, was allegedly behind the wheel of the dual cab 4WD Mitsubishi ute with a 24-year-old passenger in the car.
The driver was given a roadside breath test and allegedly returned a positive result.
He was arrested at the scene and taken to Castle Hill Police Station for a breath analysis, which allegedly returned a reading of 0.150.
The man has since 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.
