Hamilton crash: Twice-banned driver Alicia Montebello’s car smashed into tree killing four
The woman who died with three teenagers in a horrific car accident in the country of Victoria this weekend was banned from driving twice, including for driving under the influence.
Alicia Montebello, 31, was killed on Saturday when her red Toyota Corolla hatchback spun out of control and crashed into a tree near Bochara in southwest Victoria.
She died in a hit alongside local Hamilton teens Meghan Fox, 14, Joshua Elmes, 15, and Lucas Gorzali, 14.
Meghan’s sister Jorja, 17, survived the blow but is in serious condition in hospital.
It can now be revealed that Ms Montebello was disqualified from driving in January 2015 after being caught drunk in an unregistered car in South Australia.
She was suspended for four months and 14 days, but in February 2016 she was again banned from driving and given a 12-day suspended prison sentence.
She had previously faced other charges of speeding, driving an unregistered vehicle, and driving with alcohol in her blood while on P plates, as well as drug possession charges.
Alicia Montebello (pictured), who died with three teenagers in a horrific car accident in the country of Victoria last weekend, was banned from driving twice, including for driving under the influence
The mangled wreckage of the car that claimed the lives of four people near Bochara in southwest Victoria
Ms Montebello was back in Warrnambool Magistrates’ Court just six weeks ago, where she was fined $700 without conviction for willful damage, two counts of stalking and four counts of breaching bail, reports the Announce sun.
The father of one of the teenagers who died in the tragic accident – on the single lane Wannon-Nigretta Falls Road in Bochara, 200 miles west of Melbourne – has revealed he warned his son not to get into Ms Montebello’s car .
Matthew Elmes, 46, father of Joshua, feared Ms Montebello was a dangerous driver feeding the youngsters’ need for fast paced thrills.
“If you want an adrenaline rush, it’s probably better to go to an amusement park or skydive, but don’t get in a car,” Mr Elmes said.
Ms. Montebello had been regularly seen driving the Corolla in the area prior to the crash and reportedly encouraged her passengers not to wear seatbelts while driving “irregularly”.
A terrifying video apparently taken inside the car was posted to Snapchat just hours before the crash and appears to show it traveling down a country road at 80 mph.
Police have yet to reveal who was behind the wheel of the car at the time of the crash, and detectives hope Jorja Fox can help with investigations when she is well enough.
Sisters Jorja (left) and Meghan Fox were involved in a shocking crash just outside Hamilton. Meghan was killed and Jorja is in a serious but stable condition
Teenagers Joshua Elmes (left) and Lucus Garzoli were both tragically killed in the crash
Alicia Montebello (center) with Meghan and Jorja Fox in March
She was very close to Ms. Montebello, who posted a photo of her with the Fox sisters on March 19.
“My best friend Jorja Fox – I love you little one,” she posted with a heart emoji.
It’s a post that has since spawned an angry emoji from Jorja’s sister Kayla, who took to social media on Monday to pay tribute to her sisters.
Rest in peace my precious angel forever in my heart. Life won’t be the same without your crazy personality or that sweet heart,” she wrote on Instagram.
“You were the best little sister I could wish for. I love you so much Meghan. My heart hurts so much knowing you’re not right behind me.”
While Kayla paid tribute to the other teens who died in the crash, her post omitted any reference to Ms. Montebello.
On Tuesday, Joshua’s parents, Lee-Ann and Matthew Elmes burst into tears when they spoke to the Sunrise program and begged young drivers to be careful on the road.
“I want the youth of Hamilton and as far as this goes, please think of your loved ones as you leave the front door,” Ms Elmes said.
“Think of them, think of what could happen between when you leave during those hours and when you get home.”
Mrs. Elmes remembered the last moments she had with her son on Friday morning, before she heard him sneak out of the house.
“I said I love you.” I told him good night,’ she said.
“The next five minutes later I heard the door open and close and I called him and said, ‘Where are you going?’
‘He said, ‘I’m going for a walk, I’ll see you in a minute’.
“I never heard from him again.”
It has also been confirmed that Joshua worked with Ms Montebello at Coles Hamilton, with a spokesman for the supermarket saying staff have been given advice in the aftermath of the crash.
“We would like to express our deepest condolences to the loved ones of our team members who were involved in Saturday’s car accident,” the spokesman said.
“Our thoughts are with our Coles Hamilton team members who have been given advice at this tragic time.”
The accident happened in southwest Victoria on a narrow stretch of road near Bochara
Jorja Fox (right) and Alicia Montebello in a March Facebook post tagged “My dear friend Jorja Fox, I love you little one.” It has since been branded with an angry emoji by one of Jorja’s sisters
Alicia Montebello reportedly faced Warrnambool Magistrates’ Court just six weeks ago where she was fined $700 without conviction for willful damage, stalking and bail offenses
On Sunday, Police Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir confirmed that a witness saw the group’s car leave a local waterfall park around 1 a.m. Saturday.
The wreckage was found by a passerby on Wannon-Nigretta Road around 9:00 am.
Mr Weir said a crash reconstruction on the narrow strip of road where the accident occurred showed the car was traveling well above 60 mph.
“To get that speed on that road at that time of day, any time really, is just incomprehensible to me,” he said.
A police spokesman said the investigation is still ongoing.