Eight additional charges have been laid against the 18-year-old P-plater accused of driving into Newcastle Knights supporters at Wallsend, where police allege 10 people were struck.
Indika Samarasinghe was served with the new offences on Tuesday night following further investigations into the crash at the Newcastle Link Road and Transfield Drive roundabout.
The charges include dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and six counts of causing bodily harm by misconduct in charge of a motor vehicle.
Emergency services were called at about 9.30am on October 3 after a vehicle allegedly hit pedestrians gathered to farewell the Knights before the NRL grand final.
The injured people were treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital.
Samarasinghe had already appeared before the bail court the day after the crash. He did not apply for bail, which was formally refused, and he remains in custody.
A five-year-old girl and her mother were among those seriously injured, according to a fundraising page set up for the family. The page said the child had undergone multiple operations and been placed in an induced coma, while her mother also faced serious injuries and would be unable to work for some time.
Supporters and members of the rugby league community sent messages of support after the crash. Knights captain Kalyn Ponga said: “Our hearts are with everyone affected in Wallsend this morning.
“We’re thinking of you, your families and everyone in our Newcastle community. Sending our love and support.”
Knights chief executive Peter Parr said what had been intended as a celebratory send-off for the club had become “a distressing morning”.
“Our thoughts and prayers are first and foremost with everyone who has been injured, their families and loved ones, and everyone who witnessed what occurred this morning,” he said.
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley described the incident as “an absolute tragedy” and “a tragedy that needn’t have happened, a tragedy that was preventable”.
The matter is due to return to Newcastle Local Court on Thursday.
