By Afraa Kori
Keely-Shaye Sanders, a 20-year-old woman from Beaconsfield, called her mother from Woolworths to check if she needed anything.
Later, when Lisa’s husband arrived home from work, he asked where Keely was. That’s when Lisa checked the ’share my location’ app and saw Keely near Panorama Avenue, just a short distance from home, assuming she would be back soon.
However, just after closing the app, she received a call from the paramedic—delivering news no mother should ever have to hear.
“I literally closed out of the app, and the phone rang, which came up with Keely’s name, and then I answered it, and it was the paramedic,” Lisa said.
“When the ambulance called me, I could hear clearly in the background—Keely calling for me—and I couldn’t be there. Me and my husband ran down to the intersection.”
Keely had just finished work on her second day at a new job and stopped at Woolworths before taking the bus home.
While crossing the road with the green signal, it changed to flashing red, and as she continued walking, she was hit by a car.
Keely recalls crossing halfway across the road and seeing a car approaching, but she was thrown about five metres from the point of impact.
Cardinia Highway Patrol is investigating.
Keeley sustained a large laceration to her head, a swollen ankle, a strain, extensive abrasions on her thigh, and bruising on her hips, back, and shoulder.
She remained under observation in the spinal unit for some time and underwent a CT scan before being discharged. Further assessment will be needed once her condition stabilises.
The driver of the SUV allegedly did not stop to render assistance, however he self-presented to Pakenham police station later that evening.
The 43-year-old man was issued a penalty notice for failing to give way and he will also undergo a licence review.
As part of her recovery, the police have offered counseling, and Keeley also plans to visit a psychiatrist.
Lisa shared that Keely has been diagnosed with autism and has made remarkable progress, particularly in the past two years. However, the hit-and-run incident has been a devastating setback.
“Throughout her childhood, it’s been about building her independence, and this year was probably the first time she felt comfortable taking the bus,” she said.
“Now, she doesn’t want to go on public transport anymore, and she doesn’t want to cross roads. She only just got her learner’s permit, but now she doesn’t want to drive.
“I know it’s still the early stages, but I can already see how deeply this will impact her. We have been avoiding the intersection since then because it’s traumatic.”
While her physical injuries are expected to heal, the mental and psychological trauma will take a much longer time to recover from.
“I get panic attacks, I don’t like being alone, I don’t want to go outside or near the road,” Keely said.
Lisa added, “she’s been very clingy with me or her partner. I’ve worked from home this week, but I don’t know what she’ll do when I have to return to the office”.
Another major concern for Lisa is the intersection near her home, which has a history of serious accidents—including a fatality and a major crash involving her and her husband.
Lisa and her family have lived in Beaconsfield for 20 years—it’s the only home they’ve known. They are currently in the process of moving, a decision they had already planned before the incident, but the hit-and-run reinforced their choice to leave.
“I thought I would miss this place, but after what happened to my daughter, I just want to leave.“
She urges VicRoads to take action by revisiting and strengthening the licensing requirements to prevent further accidents.
This was also a traumatic event for drivers who witnessed the scene, yet many stopped to offer assistance, and others contacted Lisa via Facebook to check on Keely’s well-being.
“Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. It means so much to me. Unfortnely I do not know every individual that helped.
“But I would like to thank the nurse (Suze) who witnessed the incident and helped my daughter.
“I would like to thank Daniel for chasing down the culprit to get registration details. I appreciate Christy, Filsal and everyone else.”
Anyone who witnessed the incident, has footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
