Elderly woman suffered brain bleed after "careless" van driver's lapse

Saturday 18 February 2023

A 35-year-old van driver who knocked down an elderly woman in a "momentary lapse" of concentration - leaving her with a bleed on the brain - has pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless driving.

Legal Adviser Howard Tobias, prosecuting, told the Magistrate's Court that Silvio Joao Moniz Calaca was driving from Conway Street and turning onto Bond Street on 8 July last year when he knocked the 71-year-old pedestrian down as she was crossing the road.

"For some unknown reason the defendant did not see the woman in the street. He immediately stopped and the police were called," Mr Tobias explained.

"It appears to be a momentary lapse, but there was no explanation as to why he hadn't seen her," he said.

A brain scan in hospital revealed that the woman was suffering from an internal bleed - something the court heard could cause lasting headaches, memory loss, mood changes or seizures.

It is not known at this stage whether she is suffering from any of these conditions, however.

Assistant Magistrate Peter Harris decided to delay sentencing to allow time for the woman's current condition to be established.

Calaca was released on bail in the meantime. He is due to return to court on Thursday 9 March.