A 33-year-old man has appeared in court, accused of ramming his ute into a pub in Collie last week, pinning two young women to the wall, causing horrific injuries.
Last Thursday night 23-year-old Georgia Moloney and 18-year-old Alexis Tate were outside the Crown Hotel, around 11pm, when Benjamin Lawrence Byrne-Quinn reversed his Toyota Hilux into the front of the pub, partially collapsing a wall and pinning the women.
It’s thought the act stemmed from an earlier altercation inside the pub that had moved out to the street, and police suggest the women were simply “innocent bystanders”.
Other patrons outside jumped to avoid being struck by the vehicle. Byrne-Quinn and a passenger fled the scene, but he handed himself in to local police soon after.
Two young men reportedly rushed to help the injured women and administered first aid until emergency services arrived. Moloney was flown to Royal Perth Hospital ICU where she is said to be in a critical but stable condition. Tate went to Collie Hospital via ambulance and has since been discharged.
A team of police arrived from Perth to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. Bunbury Detective Senior Sergeant Jeremy Davies described the women’s injuries as “catastrophic” and suggested the first aid provided by the bystanders and ambulance staff probably saved Moloney’s life.
On Saturday Byrne-Quinn briefly appeared in Bunbury Magistrates Court, charges with two counts of endangering life, one count of failing to stop, and one count of failing to report property damage.
He indicated he would be pleading guilty and awaited legal counsel before applying for bail.
However, the prosecution noted that the charges would be upgraded if the seriously injured woman did not survive.
The matter has been adjourned for further mention this week.
Management of the Crown issued their sombre condolences. The pub will be closed until further notice.
