A young man is behind bars facing a string of serious charges following a devastating two-car collision in Appin that claimed the life of a teenage girl and left two other victims in a critical condition.
Charges Laid After Tragic Collision
Luke Albert Heathcote-Heller, aged 22, has been charged with a total of 14 offences in connection with the fatal incident on Appin Road. The crash occurred on the evening of Thursday, January 8, 2026, and involved a Toyota Hilux ute and a Mazda sedan.
Emergency services rushed to the scene around 8pm. Tragically, a 17-year-old girl who was a passenger in the Mazda died at the location. The driver of the Mazda, a 46-year-old man, and a 30-year-old female passenger were transported to Liverpool Hospital in a critical state. A 12-year-old boy also sustained minor injuries and was taken to Westmead Hospital for treatment.
Allegations of Dangerous and Drink-Driving
Heathcote-Heller, the alleged driver of the Hilux, suffered minor injuries and was taken to Campbelltown Hospital under police guard for mandatory testing. The Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit launched a probe into the circumstances, which forced the closure of Appin Road between Armstrong and Rixon roads until 5am the next day.
Following their investigation, police laid a extensive list of charges. The allegations include aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death while speeding more than 45km/h over the limit, and two counts of the same offence causing grievous bodily harm. He also faces charges for dangerous driving occasioning death and grievous bodily harm through both dangerous speed and manner of driving.
The additional charges are:
- Negligent driving occasioning death
- Negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm
- Causing bodily harm by misconduct while in charge of a motor vehicle
- Driving under the influence of alcohol
- Menacing driving
Court Proceedings and Ongoing Recovery
Heathcote-Heller was refused bail after not applying for it during an appearance at Bail Division Court 6 on Saturday, January 10. He remains in custody and is scheduled to face Campbelltown Local Court in March 2026.
Meanwhile, the two critically injured occupants of the Mazda, the 46-year-old man and the 30-year-old woman, are reported to be in a stable condition as they continue their recovery at Liverpool Hospital.
The community of Appin and the wider Illawarra region has been left shaken by the tragic loss of a young life and the serious injuries inflicted on others, highlighting the devastating consequences of alleged dangerous driving behaviour.
