A tragic incident occurred in Endeavour Hills, Victoria, where a young girl named Mila was hit by a car while crossing Heatherton Road with her family. The driver of the car, a 24-year-old man, was charged with one count of dangerous driving causing serious injury. Mila was rushed to Dandenong Hospital and later transferred to the Royal Children’s Hospital, where she unfortunately succumbed to her injuries. The intersection where the accident occurred, near Heatherton Road and James Cook Drive, has been described as a dangerous area by local residents, who have been advocating for safety improvements such as speed reduction measures and better signage to prevent further tragedies.
Melinda Ambros, a local resident and independent candidate in the upcoming City of Casey council elections, highlighted the safety concerns of the intersection where the accident took place. She mentioned the steep hills that encourage speeding, malfunctioning pedestrian traffic lights, and the lack of adequate traffic controls in the area. With two nearby schools, James Cook Primary and Endeavour Hills Specialist School, the community is particularly worried about the safety of children, parents, and other pedestrians who frequent the area. The goal is to implement changes that will address the risks posed by the road’s infrastructure and prevent future accidents from occurring.
Dr. Andrew Braslis, a local chiropractor, had reported issues with pedestrian traffic lights malfunctioning in the area prior to the accident involving Mila. The community has been vocal about their concerns and is actively calling for solutions to make the intersection safer for everyone. Suggestions have included implementing safer traffic light setups, reducing speed limits, and enhancing signage to alert drivers approaching the intersection. As a mother and member of the community, Melinda Ambros expressed her condolences to Mila’s family and emphasized the urgent need for action to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.
Heatherton Road has been the site of multiple fatal crashes in recent years, adding to the urgency of addressing safety issues in the area. In July 2023, an 87-year-old man was fatally struck by a vehicle while walking on nearby Power Road. In 2021, a 63-year-old woman lost her life after stopping to assist a man who had also been involved in a crash in the vicinity. With such a history of tragic incidents, the community is calling for immediate measures to improve road safety and prevent further loss of life. It is essential for authorities to prioritize the concerns raised by residents and take concrete steps to enhance safety at the intersection of Heatherton Road and James Cook Drive.
The speed limit along the stretch of Heatherton Road where the accident occurred is 80km/h, making it a high-speed area that poses risks to pedestrians and drivers alike. The presence of nearby schools and the volume of pedestrian traffic during school pick-up and drop-off times heighten concerns about safety in the area. The tragic death of Mila has underscored the urgent need for improvements to ensure the well-being of all community members who navigate this busy thoroughfare. As investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the accident, it is crucial for authorities to work collaboratively with residents to implement effective safety measures and prevent future tragedies on Heatherton Road.
The tragic loss of Mila has deeply impacted the community of Endeavour Hills and sparked a renewed focus on road safety in the area. Local residents, including Melinda Ambros, have been vocal in their calls for action to address the dangerous conditions at the intersection where the accident occurred. With multiple fatal crashes in recent years, there is a clear need for authorities to prioritize safety improvements and work towards creating a safer environment for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. The heartbreaking loss of Mila serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of road safety measures and the need for proactive measures to prevent further tragedies on our roads.
