Indian-Origin Taxi Driver Charged Over Fatal Crash In Australia:- A 37-year-old Indian-origin taxi driver, identified as, Jatinder Panesar has been arrested and charged with dangerous driving for causing a fatal crash in Australia.

The crash left an elderly women dead and 12 persons were injured in the accident. Jatinder after he appeared in the court  was charged with one count by the Shepparton Magistrate court causing death on Monday. Panesar who immigrated from India to Australia in 2006, was however, released on bail but was forced to surrender his passport. On October 24 this year, the accused will be facing court again and is not allowed to drive or leave Victoria.

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), police said the incident took place as the driver rammed his vehicle into a mini-bus which rolled at the intersection of Pyke and Turnbull roads at Ardmona in North Victoria. Around 12 adult passengers were traveling in the min-bus, while the taxi was carrying two passengers. The collision injured 12 persons while a woman from the bus died on the spot.

Police said, “The taxi driver stopped at the scene and is assisting police with inquiries.”

Nine of the mini-bus passengers were residents at Mercy Place Shepparton, one was a staff member and two were volunteers. Mercy Health group chief executive Stephen Cornelissen, following the incident, said in a memo to the staff that the group were returning from an outing to a local bakery.

The memo read, “Tonight and tomorrow we focus our thoughts and prayers on the families of the deceased and those injured, and of course on our colleagues.” “I ask you to think of them so they may feel our care and solidarity now and in the difficult days ahead,” it said.

SUPRAJA