'Jailing of driver won't bring back little Kevin' - Sydney Morning Herald

EXCLUSIVE

Scene: Police said the driver of the car was "distraught". Photo: Jane Dyson

A driver who fatally struck a five-year-old boy as he walked to a southern Sydney school has been charged with negligent driving occasioning death, following a three-month investigation.

Kevin Quintal died after he was hit by a black four-wheel-drive as he crossed the intersection of Vivienne Street and Kingsgrove Road, Kingsgrove, on December 11 last year.

He was walking to one of his last days of kindergarten with his mother and two siblings with a Bob the Builder backpack filled with Christmas cards for his classmates. A 43-year-old Kingsgrove mother-of-two who was driving the vehicle was taken to St George hospital with shock.

Near school gates: Kevin Quintal, 5, was killed when he was struck by a car on the way to kindergarten. Photo: Supplied

Her sons, aged 10 and 14, were in the car at the time, police said.

Kevin's godfather Angelo De Felice said the Quintal family felt for the driver and did not want her to serve any jail time.

''[Kevin's mother] Marilyn does understand what the driver has been through, and herself and I are sure that the family are under so much scrutiny and stress at the moment,'' Mr De Felice said.

''A jail sentence does not achieve anything, it does not bring back Kevin. It is so unlucky this has occurred - it really could have happened to anyone.''

Negligent driving occasioning death carries a maximum sentence of 18 months jail for a first offence.

NSW Police crash investigation unit Chief Inspector Mark Cook said the woman was served with a court attendance notice last Tuesday, March 19. She is expected to appear before Sutherland Local Court in April.

He said drugs, alcohol or speed were not involved in the incident. The Kingsgrove Public School pupil had walked about 400 metres from his Northcott Avenue house and was 300 metres from the school gates when he was hit.

At the time Chief Inspector Cook described the incident as ''tragic'' and repeatedly spoke of how ''absolutely distraught'' the driver was.

Kingsgrove resident Monique Crammond, who cradled Kevin in her arms until paramedics arrived, said she hoped safety improvements would be made to avoid a similar tragedy. Ms Crammond said parents often sped down Vivienne Street and were always in a rush to drop off children.

A request for speed calming measures where Kevin was killed was denied by a council traffic advisory committee four days before the tragedy. Hurstville City Council was due to officially reject a request for a speed hump in Vivienne Street after a study showed speed was not a concern. Mayor Jack Jacovou said the council would wait until the coroner had completed a report before adopting any of the committee's recommendations.

Kevin's funeral was held on what was supposed to be his last day of kindergarten where family described him as a flower-picking, ladybird-collecting boy who was always writing stories and playing games.