A driver who allegedly ploughed into diners sitting outside a Sydney café has been charged months after the incident that left a woman pinned against a wall. Peter Khila, 35, is accused of being under the influence of drugs when he crashed his BMW into The Cupcake Room on Norton Street in Leichhardt in October.
Arrest and Charges
Khila was arrested at Auburn Police Station on Friday and charged with seven offences related to the horror crash, which left a 67-year-old woman requiring surgery. The charges include aggravated dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm under the influence of drugs, dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, and causing bodily harm by misconduct in charge of a motor vehicle. He was also charged with driving with illicit drugs present in his blood and two counts of failing to stop and assist after causing injury.
Incident Details
CCTV footage captured the moment Khila initially got out of the driver's seat before returning to the wheel and driving away moments later. Dozens of witnesses rushed to aid the woman, who had been sitting outside the café with her husband when tables and chairs were sent flying. Witness Kieran Fox described the scene: 'The lady was pinned by the car and her legs were trapped. She managed to pull herself out a bit so she's walking wounded.'
Police located Khila and his vehicle shortly after the crash and took him to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital under police guard. The BMW was also filmed crashing into bushes outside a home on Allen Street, where a female paramedic attempted to stop him, shouting, 'Stop… No, no, no… Get out. Don't move.'
Sean McKeen, who was with Mr Fox, noticed Khila slumped behind the wheel: 'It (the car) started to creep across the road so we jumped out and started banging on the window saying 'wake up, wake up' and there was no response. He hit the kerb and jolted awake and accidentally, I'm assuming, he hit the accelerator.'
Khila was treated at the scene, arrested, and drug tested before being released. The injured woman underwent surgery for lower body injuries. Khila was refused bail and is scheduled to appear before the Bail Division Court on Saturday.
