Tragedy on Bannockburn-Shelford Road
An 84-year-old Teesdale woman has been charged months after a devastating hit-and-run incident that claimed the life of six-year-old Caleb Wesley. The tragic event occurred on March 27 just after 8am on Bannockburn-Shelford Road in Teesdale, located west of Geelong.
The Fatal Morning Walk
Caleb Wesley was walking to catch his school bus with his brother and sister when he was struck by a vehicle. Witnesses at the scene, including a nurse, immediately rushed to perform CPR on the young boy until paramedics arrived and took over emergency medical efforts.
Despite the quick response from both bystanders and emergency services, Caleb died at the scene, leaving the local community in shock and mourning.
Police Investigation and Charges
Victoria Police allege the vehicle involved left the scene immediately after the collision and was later located at an address in Teesdale. Detectives from the Major Collision Investigation Unit worked on the case for several months before announcing charges had been laid on Tuesday.
The 84-year-old Teesdale woman now faces multiple charges including:
- Fail to stop after accident
- Fail to render assistance
- Fail to report a collision
The accused has been granted bail and is scheduled to appear before the Geelong Magistrates' Court on Friday.
Community Response and Memorial
The Teesdale community was profoundly affected by Caleb's death, with locals establishing a makeshift memorial at the scene to honour the young boy. Mel Sarapuu, a local resident, expressed the community's shock to 7NEWS the day after the incident, stating, "We came to show our support and show how much we care. We live just up the road, and we've never heard anything like this happening in our town."
The case highlights the devastating consequences of hit-and-run accidents and the importance of remaining at the scene to provide assistance following road incidents.
