Vansh Khanna: Nineteen-year-old international student sentenced for hit-and-run that injured three boys – but avoids jail as lawyer files appeal
A driver who ran a red light and hit three children before fleeing the scene has temporarily avoided jail time after being jailed.
The 19-year-old driver, Vansh Khanna, ran a red light at an intersection on the Pacific Highway in Crows Nest in May, throwing three children through the air as they crossed at a green pedestrian light.
Dashcam footage from a driver just meters away shows the traffic lights were red for several seconds before the horrific collision – after which Khanna fled the scene.
One of the boys, 13, was taken to Sydney Children’s Hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries, while the other two 12-year-old boys suffered minor injuries.
Khanna, who is in Australia on a study visa, faced Manly Local Court on Thursday charged with several driving offences, including negligent driving occasioning serious bodily harm and failing to stop and render assistance.
Vansh Khanna (centre), who ran a red light, mowed down three children and fled the scene, has avoided jail despite serving 26 months in prison for the Crows Nest collision
In a statement read to the court by Khanna’s lawyer, Hemant Prakash, the teenager said the incident was due to a moment of “inattention.”
He tried to justify fleeing the scene by saying he “panicked… because in India you would be thrown sticks and stones.”
Khanna took responsibility for the incident and said, “It is my fault and only I am guilty… I pray that the victims will give them strength and courage.”
Prosecutor Craig Pullen disagreed with Khanna’s claim that he had been “inattentive” and told the court the suspect had made the choice to flee the scene.
‘He saw the red light, he saw the green light towards pedestrians, he made a decision. That decision was based on his haste, which I don’t think amounts to temporary inattention,” Pullen said.
Khanna was found guilty of several driving offences; however, he was released on bail pending an appeal from his lawyers
Khanna was sentenced to 26 months in prison and was escorted from the courtroom to the cells.
However, in a surprising twist, his lawyers appealed immediately after the conviction, leading to Khanna’s release.
Khanna was allowed to re-enter the public under strict bail conditions, including a ban on driving a motor vehicle and surrendering his passport.
If he can meet the conditions, Khanna will remain free until the appeal is heard by the court.