An 18-year-old P-plater accused of driving into Newcastle Knights supporters gathered to farewell the team before the NRL grand final has been granted bail after spending six days behind bars.
Police allege Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe was driving a gold 2006 BMW convertible when he lost control in Newcastle, north of Sydney, on the morning of October 3.
A five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man suffered critical injuries in the collision. Both have since improved and are now described as being in a serious but stable condition.
Ten people were injured in total. Six have been released from hospital, while four remain receiving treatment.
Samarasinghe, a former private school student, was arrested at the scene before being taken to hospital for mandatory testing.
He faces three charges of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, three charges of negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and three charges of causing bodily harm by misconduct in charge of a motor vehicle.
The apprentice mechanic was remanded in custody after appearing in court on Sunday. On Friday, he appeared via video link from Sydney’s Silverwater jail for a bail hearing at Newcastle Local Court.
Wearing a white neck brace during the hearing, Samarasinghe was seen making the sign of the cross before proceedings began.
Police allege 18-year-old Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe was driving a gold 2006 BMW convertible when it left the road in Newcastle, north of Sydney, on October 3
Samarasinghe has been charged with three counts each of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and causing bodily harm by misconduct in charge of a motor vehicle
The crash left a five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man critically injured; both later improved to a serious but stable condition
The court heard that additional charges may be laid. Judge Trevor Khan described the crash as “extraordinary”.
“Thousands use this roadway and I’ve got to say none of them end up having spun out off the roadway,” Judge Khan said.
Samarasinghe was granted bail into the care of his mother, Nic Bambrick, in Sydney, subject to a series of strict conditions.
He must remain at home between 8pm and 7am and is required to have at least one parent accompany him during the day.
His bail conditions also require him to surrender his passport, report to police every day, abstain from alcohol and drugs and refrain from driving.
The teenager is due back before Newcastle Local Court on October 15.
Our News Outlet previously reported that Samarasinghe graduated last year from Waverley College, an independent Catholic boys’ school in Sydney.
He has lived for almost five years with his mother, who is known for her love of designer fashion, and his younger brother on one of Randwick’s most picturesque streets in Sydney’s east.
Neighbours said the family’s $4 million home was associated with the gold BMW, which carried personalised “INDIKA” plates and was reportedly well known locally for its loud engine.
Samarsinghe is not allowed out between 8pm and 7am and must always be accompanied by at least one of his parents (pictured) during the day
Samarasinghe graduated last year from Sydney’s independent Catholic boys’ school Waverley College
Samarasinghe was arrested at the scene and taken to hospital for mandatory testing.
His mother is a service designer who works for the Australian Digital Health Agency, and bought the semi-detached four-bedroom home with her sons’ father, Sunil Samarasinghe, in early 2022.
Sunil, who is originally from the UK and is head of technology at the Woolworths Group, lives separately in Woollahra, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
On since-deleted social media accounts, Samarasinghe appeared to have a carefree life clubbing with friends and travelling overseas with his mother and brother, most recently visiting Japan.
More to come
