A 21-year-old passenger has been charged after a woman died and two people were hospitalised after being struck by a car at Wollongong on Saturday night.
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Police allege the man was occupying the front passenger seat when he pulled the handbrake up prior to the crash.
Emergency services were called to the Princes Highway about 10.30pm on Saturday, after reports a Toyota Camry had lost control, mounted the kerb and struck three pedestrians walking along the footpath, before hitting a power pole.
A 19-year-old woman, Libby Ruge, was found critically injured, with officers from Wollongong Police District performing CPR until the arrival of paramedics.
Two other pedestrians, an 18-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man, were also injured.
A 20-year-old male pedestrian escaped injury.
They were all treated at the scene before being taken to Wollongong Hospital, where Ms Ruge died.
The younger woman is being treated for a fractured pelvis, while the man is being treated for leg and rib fractures.
The Toyota driver, an 18-year-old man, and front seat passenger, a 21-year-old man, were arrested and taken to Wollongong Hospital for mandatory testing.
The driver is also being treated for minor injuries and remains in hospital under police guard.
The passenger was taken to Wollongong Police Station and charged with dangerous driving occasioning death- drive manner dangerous, two counts dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm- drive manner dangerous, negligent driving (occasioning death), and negligent driving (occasions grievous bodily harm).
Police will allege in court that the man was occupying the front passenger seat when he pulled the handbrake up prior to the crash.
The Wollongong man was refused bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court on Monday.
As inquiries continue, officers from the Crash Investigation Unit are appealing for anyone with dashcam vision to contact Wollongong police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Speaking at midday on Sunday, Wollongong Police District Chief Inspector Geoff Olsen said the driver was yet to be interviewed.
"It's very early days with the investigation, so I unfortunately can't really elaborate on some of the details, because a lot hinges on what the driver and passenger say," he said.
He said as part of police procedure, they were investigating as to whether alcohol was a factor in the incident.
He also said it was unclear whether the driver had been speeding.
Oliver Aleman, acting inspector for special operations paramedics said "considering the amount of people that were out and about last night, it could have been much worse".
"Our message to drivers, especially young drivers, would be to be careful... You're behind the wheel of a large vehicle that can cause a lot of damage," he said.
"It takes a lot of responsibility to drive a car, take it seriously."
Acting Inspector Aleman said it was a "heartbreaking and confronting scene".
"The pedestrians were propelled several metres away from the car when they were hit," he said.
"The (deceased) patient was unconscious. They weren't crying in pain or suffering, we tried to resuscitate her on scene, but she had suffered critical head injuries."
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