A mother has been charged over a crash in Moana, South Australia, that killed her 11-year-old daughter, Delilah Peterson.
South Australia Police allege the 35-year-old Christie Downs woman was driving a Nissan sedan when it collided with a Subaru station wagon on Commercial Road at about 6.45pm on September 22.
Delilah, who was travelling as a passenger in the Nissan, died at the scene. Her mother was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
The driver of the Subaru, a 37-year-old man from Seaford Meadows, suffered minor injuries and was later discharged.
Mother charged over Moana crash
Police said the woman was arrested on Wednesday and charged with aggravated causing death by dangerous driving and aggravated causing harm by dangerous driving.
She has lost her licence and was released on bail to appear at Christies Beach Magistrates Court in November. Major crash investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Delilah’s death has prompted an outpouring of grief from relatives and friends, who remembered her as a bright, loving and curious child.
Finlay Thompson, who established a fundraising appeal to help with funeral costs, said: “Our hearts are broken as we come together to ask for support for our beautiful 11-year-old girl, Delilah, who was tragically taken from us far too soon.”
“Delilah was a truly special little girl. She was extremely smart, loving, curious and full of life. She loved so much about the world around her and had so many dreams and things she wanted to experience in life,” Ms Thompson wrote.
She added: “At just 11 years old, she had her whole future ahead of her and so much more love, laughter and memories still to make.”
Ms Thompson described Delilah as “everyone’s favourite person”, saying: “Her smile, her personality, her intelligence and the beautiful person she was will stay in the hearts of everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.”
In a separate tribute, Destineey Ansell said: “She was only 11 and so sweet. She was so young she didn’t deserve to die, she didn’t have much of a life. I wanted to see her grow old, wanted to see her make lots of friends. I’ll forever miss her, she was such a good person.”
