A bus driver accused of causing a horror crash outside a busy southwest Sydney school that killed a beloved teenage student has been slapped with a new charge.
Penina Lopesi appeared before Campbelltown Local Court on Wednesday charged with dangerous driving occasioning death and negligent driving occasioning death.
Police allege the 54-year-old was behind the wheel at the time of the fatal crash outside Macarthur Anglican School at Cobbitty in February that killed 14-year-old Cameron Millen.
The court was told Ms Lopesi, whose husband is a pastor at the Hills of Praise Worship Centre, now faces a third, related charge of not giving her particulars to police.
Court documents reveal Ms Lopesi last month failed to give her details to police, being the “driver involved in a crash”, within the required time under NSW Road Rules.
Ms Lopesi was released from police custody on bail in February and has not entered any pleas. The 54-year-old has also since had her driver’s license suspended.
The court was previously told investigations would seek to determine whether Ms Lopesi had suffered a medical episode or if there had been an engineering fault.
In a statement, the school said in February the bus lost control as it moved out of a bus bay and mounted the kerb during school pick-up time and in front of students and parents.
The boy who was killed in the crash was remembered as the “best brother”, with his older sibling sharing a touching tribute in the days afterwards, as reported by the Daily Mail.
“You were the best little brother I could have ever asked for. Though I found you annoying sometimes, you were always there for me and I can‘t believe you’re gone,” the boy’s brother said.
“I will do my best to make you proud lil’ man. Love you.”
Ms Lopesi will reappear before the same court in November.
If found guilty and convicted, Mr Lopwsi faces up to 10 years in prison.
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