A man who allegedly killed four children in a western Sydney car crash will remain behind bars for at least another two months.
29-year-old Samuel William Davidson was reportedly three times over the legal blood alcohol limit on Saturday night when his ute mounted a kerb in Oatlands and struck seven children on the footpath.
Siblings Antony Abdallah, 13, Angelina Abdallah, 12, Sienna Abdallah, eight, and their 11-year-old cousin Veronique Sakr died at the scene. An 11-year-old boy was taken to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and remains in a serious but stable condition while two other girls, aged 10 and 13, suffered minor injuries.
Police say Davidson was uninjured and recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.150, three times above the limit.
The driver has been charged with 20 offences, including four counts of manslaughter as well as dangerous driving occasioning death, dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving and drink-driving among others.
Davidson – reportedly a son of a retired NSW police detective – did not appear in Parramatta Bail Court on Sunday and did not apply for bail, which was formally refused by magistrate John McIntosh.
Danny Abdallah, father of three of the four children killed in the incident, urged motorists to be careful on the road.
“I don’t know what to say. I’m numb, probably that’s what I feel at the moment. All I want to say is please, drivers, be careful,” he told reporters on Sunday.
“These kids were just walking innocently, enjoying each other’s company … and this morning I woke up and I have lost three kids.”
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy told reporters on Sunday the driver was charged after refusing to be interviewed by police.
“Tragedies do occur but in my time in policing, this is one of the most tragic involving young children dying,” Corboy said.
“I’d like to send the message out today that drink-driving, speeding, poor behaviour on the roads, will not be tolerated.”
