Stonehaven accident: Driver charged over deadly head-on crash, parole cancelled after girl, 12, killed
By Zak Wheeler For Daily Mail Australia[1]
Published: 09:10, 6 January 2024 | Updated: 09:10, 6 January 2024
The driver behind a deadly head-on crash near the Victorian city of Geelong that killed a 12 year old girl has been charged and had his parole cancelled.
Jordan Kenyon, 28, of Geelong’s North Shore was allegedly speeding and overtaking other motorists on the Hamilton Highway in Stonehaven, about 10km west of Geelong, in the lead-up to Wednesday night’s crash.
Police allege his car, a white Holden Berlina, swerved onto the opposite side of the highway and smashed head-on into a red Holden Barina.
Mia Rossiter, 12, was in the rear passenger seat of her family’s Barina and was killed on impact while her half-sister Willow, 7, and parents, Paul and Danica Rossiter were rushed to hospital in serious condition.
Kenyon in the Berlina was taken to Geelong Hospital in a stable condition, while his passenger, a 21-year-old North Shore man, was in a critical condition.
On Saturday, Kenyon, was charged with breaching of parole, driving while suspended, dangerous driving causing death and two counts of dangerous driving causing serious injury.
His parole has been revoked by police and he will now remain behind bars until January 8 when he is expected to appear before Geelong Magistrates Court.
Jordan Kenyon, 28, was charged with multiple offences for allegedly colliding with a car carrying a family of four on on Hamilton Highway at 9pm on Wednesday
Mia Rossiter, 12, was killed immediately when Kenyon’s car collided with her family’s.
Her half-sister, 7, and parents were rushed to hospital in serious condition
The surviving Rossiters, from Lismore, have been separated by the fatal crash and were all sent to different hospitals, according to family friend Zach Challoner.
‘Mia’s parents are in two different hospitals.
Willow also went to a separate hospital, so the whole family’s been torn apart by the situation,’ he said.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said there were reports of the car allegedly driving at speed and overtaking commuters just prior to its collision with the Barina.
Police allege Kenyon’s car swerved onto the opposite side of the highway and smashed head-on into the Rossiter’s car about 10km west of Geelong.
Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Peter Romanis said that the ‘entirely preventable tragedy’ had ‘infuriated’ police who are working on the case.
Willow was sitting in the back with Mia and suffered serious upper body injuries, but her condition has since improved to stable at the Royal Children’s Hospital.
The fatal crash, one of two involving children just days into the new year, sent shockwaves through the local community.
Major Crash Detectives allege that Kenyon was attempting to overtake another car on on the highway when his white Holden Commodore collided with the red Holden Barina
Kenyon was charged with breaching of parole, driving while suspended, dangerous driving causing death and two counts of dangerous driving causing serious injury
Tributes have since poured in through social media for the Mia and her family by those who have donated to the GoFundMe[2] which was organised by Mr Challoner.
‘I’ve known some of the family for a long time and they are such a close knit and loving family,’ one woman wrote.
‘Mia sounded like an incredible girl with great taste in the football team she supported.We are heartbroken for your loss,’ another added.
Cheryl Rossiter, a relative of Mia, said that family meant everything to her and that hers ‘didn’t deserve this’.
Mia would have been 13 on January 25.
References
- ^ Zak Wheeler For Daily Mail Australia (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ GoFundMe (www.gofundme.com)
- ^ Inexplicable last moment of teen who died revealed (www.dailymail.co.uk)