BMW driver charged over hit-and-run of Alice Lewis

The woman driving the BMW that allegedly mowed down a 13-year-old girl on a bike has been charged with dangerous driving.

Alice Lewis is still in critical condition days after she was left unconscious and bleeding on the road after the alleged hit-and-run about 8pm on Sunday.

The 41-year-old woman handed herself in to police in Melbourne on Thursday morning after a three-day manhunt that had officers staking out airports.

 

Alice Lewis, 13, is still in critical condition days after she was left unconscious and bleeding on the road after the alleged hit-and-run about 8pm on Sunday. 

The woman driving the BMW that allegedly mowed her down was charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, failing to stop, failing to render assistance

The woman driving the BMW that allegedly mowed her down was charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, failing to stop, failing to render assistance

She was charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, failing to stop , failing to render assistance, and not reporting the crash.

Alice was hit while crossing the road at Bell and Sussex streets in Coburg and remained in an induced coma at the Royal Children’s Hospital.

The teenager, who has head trauma and fractured limbs, was not wearing a helmet as she rode her bike with two friends when she was hit by the car.

Detective Inspector Stuart McGregor said it was only a matter of time after news of the crash broke that the driver would hand herself in.

‘The amount of media that was given to this case has probably put her in a position where she had no choice,’ he told the Herald Sun. 

Alice Lewis, 13, is still fighting for her life in Melbourne as police desperately search for the driver - who police say is an Asian woman in her 30s (Alice's bike pictured at the scene)

Alice Lewis, 13, is still fighting for her life in Melbourne as police desperately search for the driver – who police say is an Asian woman in her 30s (Alice’s bike pictured at the scene)

The 41-year-old woman handed herself in to police in Melbourne on Thursday morning after a three-day manhunt that had officers staking out airports.

The 41-year-old woman handed herself in to police in Melbourne on Thursday morning after a three-day manhunt that had officers staking out airports.

The driver was released from custody on Thursday afternoon and held a jacket over her head as she ran the media gauntlet, running in circle as she struggled to see from under her disguise

The driver was released from custody on Thursday afternoon and held a jacket over her head as she ran the media gauntlet, running in circle as she struggled to see from under her disguise

‘She knew we were going to release her name, she knew we were going to put her face out there.

‘She knew that eventually we were going to come knocking on the door and so she’s done the right thing and come forward.’ 

The Asian woman surrendered herself at her lawyer’s CBD office at 10.50am before police released her name or photos.

Police feared a repeat of the Puneet Puneet culpable driving case, where a young Indian man fled Australia while on bail after killing a man in 2009. 

They found the dark grey Series 1 BMW dumped in a laneway in Sunshine North, where the woman lives, about 14km from the crash site 

They found the dark grey Series 1 BMW dumped in a laneway in Sunshine North, where the woman lives, about 14km from the crash site 

The driver was released from custody on Thursday afternoon and held a jacket over her head as she ran the media gauntlet, running in circle as she struggled to see from under her disguise.

She was released on bail to face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday.  

They found the dark grey Series 1 BMW dumped in a laneway in Sunshine North, where the woman lives, about 14km from the crash site.

The hatchback had a smashed windscreen and significant other damage and was parked there about 11pm on Sunday.

Detectives gathered video footage of the driver and traced the car's route, and were investigating whether someone picked her up after she dumped it 

Detectives gathered video footage of the driver and traced the car’s route, and were investigating whether someone picked her up after she dumped it 

Detectives gathered video footage of the driver and traced the car’s route, and were investigating whether someone picked her up after she dumped it. 

Friends sent well wishes to Alice online, many urging her to ‘stay strong’ and willing her a speedy recovery.

‘Stay strong Alice, I know you can fight through this,’ one girl wrote. ‘I love [you] to bits I just hope you will be okay’.   

‘There is no one that should suffer this, there is no mother or father or grandparent who would ever want this to happen to their child, Inspector McGregor told 9 News.

‘Let alone be left on the side of the road just to die by a person who leaves the scene who doesn’t even bother to stop and help.’

Alice was hit while crossing the road at Bell and Sussex streets in Coburg and remained in an induced coma at the Royal Children's Hospital 

Alice was hit while crossing the road at Bell and Sussex streets in Coburg and remained in an induced coma at the Royal Children’s Hospital 

 The teenager, who has head trauma and fractured limbs, was not wearing a helmet as she rode her bike with two friends when she was hit by the car

 The teenager, who has head trauma and fractured limbs, was not wearing a helmet as she rode her bike with two friends when she was hit by the car

A witness spoke on Facebook about seeing the horrific accident after the driver left.

‘We came across this accident and my husband was first on the scene to provide first aid to her. Can’t believe the driver just drove off,’ she began.

‘To the off duty paramedic and off duty nurse who then helped with my husband… a big thank you.

‘My prayers are with the teenage girl and thoughts with her two friends who I tried to comfort. Hope they find the driver ASAP.’ 

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