In a heart-wrenching incident in Melbourne’s south-east, three-year-old Mila Wang was on her way to a school bus stop with her older sister, grandmother, and two friends when tragedy struck. The group was crossing at a designated pedestrian crossing when Kamal Ghali, a driver who failed to heed a red light, struck Mila.

Mila, walking slightly ahead of her family, was hit and hurled nearly 30 meters through the air. Her grandmother rushed to her side, cradling the injured child as other concerned motorists stopped to offer assistance.

In court, the prosecutor stressed the seriousness of the situation, stating, “This is not a case of momentary inattention or a lapse in concentration. If circumstances had been slightly different, there could have been five victims in this case.”

Kyle McDonald, representing Ghali, acknowledged the severity of the incident. He informed the court that Ghali accepted responsibility, as indicated by his plea, and admitted that he should have noticed the red light.

“But for a split second or a minute or two, there could well have been five victims in this case.”

Ghali’s barrister Kyle McDonald told the court his client accepted, through his plea, that he should have seen the red light.

But McDonald argued Ghali had shown remorse and his moral culpability was low so it was open to the judge to impose a sentence other than jail time.

Ghali had a diagnosed adjustment disorder and suicidal ideation as a result of the crash so his time in custody would also be more difficult, the barrister noted.

But Fisher argued a jail term with a non-parole was the only available sentence, describing the case as a very serious example of dangerous driving.

Judge Trevor Wraight agreed and remanded Ghali into custody ahead of his sentencing hearing in December.

Ghali dropped his head into his hands, while some of his family and friends cried as he was led from the courtroom by guards.