A young motorist, whose sister launched a GoFundMe campaign after he was involved in a horror crash caused by the ‘weather’, has been charged with reckless driving.
International student Saksham Saini, 21, and two family members, a woman and man who were both 25, were travelling in the wet on the Ring Road at St Albans, Melbourne, at about 9pm on June 9.
His sister, Sargam, said the downpour caused Mr Saini’s sedan to ‘slip off’ the road.
The car careened 150m down an embankment beside the road, splashed through a creek, and finally came to a rest under the M80.
Mr Saini and his passengers were rushed to hospital.
Sargam launched a crowdfunding page desperately pleading for help to raise money for her brother’s recovery after he underwent significant surgery for his leg.
The fundraiser has raked in around $2,500 since it was launched on Sunday.
However, a Victoria Police spokeswoman confirmed to Daily Mail on Wednesday they had investigated the circumstances surrounding the crash and charged Mr Saini.
‘He has since been charged with several offences including with reckless conduct placing a person in danger of serious injury and driving whilst exceeding the prescribed concentration of alcohol,’ she said.
He was bailed to appear before Sunshine Magistrate’s Court in October.
At the time, Senior Constable Alistair McDonald said the crash was ‘astounding’. ‘It’s hard to believe that actually all three of the occupants are still alive at the moment,’ he said.
Police initially believed two vehicles were speeding along the road before the Hyundai veered down the embankment.
‘I’ve seen some dashcam footage which shows this vehicle and another vehicle travelling at extremely high speeds on the ring road right before the collision occurs,’ Sen Const McDonald said in June.
Sargam said her brother had surgery on his leg, which is now braced by metal rods.
The certificate four automotive student also received treatment for his lips and chin, which were battered in the crash, she said, while a blood clot in his left ear is causing hearing loss.
Sargam said her brother is in ‘constant pain’ and is unable to work or support himself.
Victoria Police said his two passengers received non-life-threatening injuries.
Mr Saini is facing mounting bills and expenses, including tuition, while he recovers, his sister said.
‘With no ability to earn an income for many months, this situation has become overwhelming,’ she said.
‘To make matters worse, the car involved in the accident was his, and it’s now completely damaged.’
Sargam claimed to Daily Mail that her brother has yet to receive his charge sheet from Victoria Police.
However, that was disputed by Victoria Police. ‘As the accused was charged and bailed, they would have received their charges sheet personally,’ a spokeswoman said.