Pedestrian Safety Concerns in Melbourne and Penrith

Kim Ruether from northern Alberta turned a personal tragedy into a life-saving advocacy effort, earning an Order of Excellence. In Melbourne, a 43-year-old homeless man named James Gaudet died after lying down on the Melbourne Causeway and being struck by an SUV; police confirmed drugs and alcohol were not factors in the crash. Another incident in Penrith, Sydney, involved an 87-year-old pedestrian who was fatally struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Mulgoa Road and Ransley Street; the driver was arrested and charged with multiple offenses including dangerous driving occasioning death and failing to stop after a crash causing death.