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Woman in court over fatal crash

AAP

AAP

Relatives of a woman accused of killing Sydney schoolgirl Aneri Patel when a four-wheel drive ran onto a footpath and into a chemist have expressed their sympathies to the teenager’s family.

Puipuiomaota Galuvao, 26, faced Kogarah Local Court on Tuesday, charged with six offences including dangerous driving occasioning death, dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and driving without a licence.

Police allege she had never held a licence when she was behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Challenger, which ploughed through the shopfront of O’Reilly & Daly Chemists in Kogarah on September 15.

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It’s alleged Galuvao hit 16-year-old Aneri, who was waiting for a bus to take her home after an exam.

Court papers show the Como woman is also accused of causing grievous bodily harm to Suzanne Ferguson and Frederick Cook in the crash and causing bodily harm to Heidi Watson.

Galuvao’s half-brother, former NRL player Joe Galuvao, extended his family’s “deepest regrets” to all those hurt in the crash outside court on Tuesday.

“We are truly sorry for the pain and anguish you have suffered,” he said.

“To the Patel family, not a day goes by that we do not think about your family and what your family is going through – the pain, grief, and loss of your beloved Aneri.

AAP

Mourners place flowers at the scene of the accident. Photo: AAP

“We know that nothing we can say will ease your pain.

“We know that your lives will be changed forever.”

Galuvao will not be required to appear in person when the case returns to court on November 25.

The crash came at the same spot where 20-year-old fashion student Emma Hansen was killed by a car while waiting for a bus in 2007.

In that accident, a 42-year-old learner driver attempted to brake but instead accelerated into a queue of people at the bus stop, injuring 11 and killing Ms Hansen.

Residents have called for a barrier to be erected to stop another tragedy.

-AAP

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