The family of a Shellharbour woman critically injured in an alleged deliberate hit and run on QLD’s Sunshine Coast, have made the agonising decision to turn off her life support.
24-year-old Mallee Smith, who was almost a year into a career at Shellharbour Council after growing up at Broulee, had travelled to Queensland for a Christmas surprise for her family.
But the trip ended tragically on Saturday night during a night out on the Sunshine Coast, when Mallee was left with critical injuries after being struck by a car in Maroochydore.
38-year-old Brazilian national Guilherme Dal Bo, who is in Australia on a working visa, is alleged to have driven straight at a group of men with whom he had earlier had a minor argument.
It’s alleged Dal Bo fled the scene but was arrested several hours later at a nearby residence.
Guilherme Dal Bo (Instagram)
Mallee Smith was one of eight people injured in the horrifying incident.
She was rushed to hospital where she fought bravely for two days before passing away on Monday.
Police said the two female victims just happened to be walking near the men when Dal Bo’s car mounted the footpath and ran them down, in what they have described as “an intentional, deliberate act”.
Dal Bo has been remanded in custody on eight charges of attempted murder. One of those is expected to be upgraded to murder before he next faces court on Friday.
Detective Acting Inspector Peter Hocken said Mallee was only visiting for two days.
“They were minding their own business and have observed that vehicle come back,” Inspector Hocken said.
“They managed to get out of the way [but] unfortunately the female … was struck.
“From our witness accounts there’s been some actions by the driver that … were deliberate to reach those people.”
