The family of a Cronulla woman who was left clinging to life after a horrific crash say they will not feel satisfied by the actions of police until pursuits are banned in NSW.
A senior constable, 40, was today charged with dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, and will appear in court on November 12.
He was attempting to catch up with a mobile phone offender on September 5 at high speeds when he hit Mrs Vieira’s car at the intersection of the Kingsway and Connels Road at Cronulla.
Mrs Vieira’s husband Bert says the family does not blame the police officer, whose job status is under review, but wants to see greater responsibility taken.
“I know he had no intention of hurting my wife,” he said. “But every action has a reaction. You have to pay your dues...this lesson has been taught.
“There is no satisfaction at the moment. He’s just one person, one driver. Who's the one who asked him to do it? I want him and every other constable who drives like an idiot, to lose their job.
“It’s a step in the right direction but the real win would be if they charged him on the first or second day, not the 22nd day.”
The family says while still in a coma, Mrs Vieira moves her toes – only at the sound of her grandson Tyler’s voice. He was in the car with Mrs Vieira at the time of the crash.
“He’s only three and he’s not talking much but he has put together ‘nanny smash’, so he’s traumatised,” Tyler’s mother Cassie Vieira-Choy said.
Her loved ones are by her hospital bed every day, reading her favourite magazines, and sharing well wishes from friends and strangers.
“She's still fighting,” Mr Vieira said. “We will remain very positive and continue to hope for the best.
“Every single day I get up, look around, put my hand across and she’s not there.
“But we have had amazing support from the community. I want them to continue to support us in this battle and show the government that we want these changes. We will rebuild but we will stop this.”
Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said earlier this month that the incident was a “very complicated crash”.
He said at the time that urgent duty within the NSW Police safe driver policy that guided patrol officers was an accepted practice that was based on risk, but that the policy is constantly reviewed.
