Man charged after fatal Mercedes collision in Sydney's southwest

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【Summary】A man has been charged after a high-speed crash in Heckenberg, Sydney, resulted in the death of a brother and sister. The man, who was allegedly driving a stolen Mercedes, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of a crash, and driving while disqualified. CCTV footage shows the Mercedes traveling at high speed moments before the collision. The two occupants of the Mercedes fled the scene in a Volkswagen Golf.

FutureCar Staff Sep 02, 2023 5:02 PM PT

Man charged after fatal Mercedes collision in Sydney's southwest

A man has been charged with a series of offenses after a high-speed crash resulted in the deaths of a brother and sister. Alina Kauffman, 24, and Ernesto Salazer, 15, were killed when a stolen Mercedes collided with their Toyota Echo in Heckenberg, Sydney. The Mercedes then hit a stationary Toyota RAV4 and flipped onto its side. The 20-year-old man allegedly driving the Mercedes fled the scene but turned himself into the police the next day. He has been charged with causing death by dangerous and negligent driving, failing to stop at the scene of a crash, and driving while disqualified.

The occupants of the RAV4 were unharmed, but the siblings in the Toyota Echo were treated by paramedics at the scene and unfortunately died. Alina had picked up her brother from work, and they were almost home when the collision occurred. Their devastated mother expressed her grief, saying she now has to live the rest of her life without her children.

After the crash, CCTV footage allegedly showed the Mercedes speeding along a residential road. Police claim that the four occupants of the Mercedes climbed out of the overturned car and fled the scene in a Volkswagen Golf. Authorities are also searching for a person who filmed a video of the smashed-up Toyota Echo before emergency services arrived. The video, which was posted on social media, has sparked outrage.

The alleged driver of the Mercedes will face court, while another man who was inside the car has been released without charge. The police are still looking for the other two passengers. Anyone with information about the incident has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers.