The driver of a garbage truck who hit a kindergarten student while riding his scooter on a trail was fined $2,500 for the crime.
David Ross Williams pleaded guilty to careless driving causing bodily harm in Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Williams, 55, reversed his Veolia van into a street next to a school in Scarborough, northwest of Perth, at 8.13am on November 24.
The vehicle struck Jackson Fogarty as he was riding his scooter, causing his mother to scream in horror.
David Ross Williams (pictured, centre) was fined $2,500 after his rubbish truck hit a kindergarten student in Scarborough, Perth, in November last year.
John Fogarty, Jackson’s father, said Jackson spent a week in the hospital due to his injuries and was confined to bed for three days.
She said her son suffered a fractured tibia and spinal injury and spent two months in a wheelchair as a result of his injuries.
‘He couldn’t move. “He had to lie there looking at the ceiling,” he said. Western Australia.
Fogarty said the injuries affected his son both physically and mentally.
“He’s getting the help he can right now, but this has affected his life forever,” he said.
“It’s something that time will heal, but it’s still happened… it’s never going to go away.”
Prosecutors argued in court yesterday that police had spoken to Williams after the incident, but he refused to provide details about what happened.
While it was established that Williams did not intend to harm the child, the collision could have been avoided if more care had been taken.
“It’s close to a school; a little more diligence was necessary on this occasion,” the prosecutor said.
Magistrate Donna Web acknowledged Williams regretted his careless driving but said the incident could have been worse.
Jackson Fogarty (pictured) suffered a fractured tibia and spinal injury and spent a week in hospital after the collision.
Williams was granted a served sentence, meaning a person convicted of a misdemeanor has served his sentence and the offender has been reformed.
His license was disqualified for three months.
His lawyer Andrew Williams said his client was remorseful for committing the act and was unlikely to reoffend.
A Veolia spokesperson told the newspaper that Williams does not currently drive for the company and has been on leave since his first court appearance.
WhatsNew2Day Australia has contacted Veolia for further comment.