2 months ago
3
By Tara Cosoleto
December 16, 2025 — 5.34pm
A driver who killed a three-year-old girl after running a red light could be back in the community in a little over a year.
Kamal Ghali, 25, dropped his head on Tuesday afternoon as Victorian County Court Judge Trevor Wraight jailed him for two years and six months.
He will be eligible for parole after 15 months.
Mila Wang, 3, was killed when hit by a car at a pedestrian crossing in Endeavour Hills.Credit: Facebook
Ghali admitted to a charge of dangerous driving causing Mila Wang’s death after hitting her with his car in Endeavour Hills, in Melbourne’s south-east, on October 17, 2024.
Mila was walking on a pedestrian crossing with her grandmother, older sister and two others when Ghali ran the red light and crashed into her.
Mila was flung into the air and landed almost 30 metres away, and her grandmother rushed to her aid and cradled her as other motorists stopped to help.
Police at the scene of the crash in October 2024.Credit: Joe Armao
Ghali stopped at the scene but called his father instead of emergency services.
Bystanders rang Triple Zero and paramedics tried to save Mila, but she died from her injuries in hospital later that day.
In his sentencing reasons, Wraight noted the light had been red for four to five seconds before Ghali’s car struck the little girl.
“Four to five seconds can be a significant period of time,” the judge said.
A child’s scooter at the scene of the crash in October 2024.Credit: Joe Armao
“I do not accept the offending is at the lower level.”
But the judge found the case was a clear example of an otherwise safe and competent driver not paying proper attention.
Wraight noted the eloquent and moving statement of Mila’s mother, Wenna Lin, who described the emptiness in her life now that her youngest daughter’s laughter and joy was gone.
Loading
The judge told Mila’s family, who were watching on a video link, the sentence he imposed would never reflect the value of the three-year-old’s life.
Their pain was one factor he had to consider in sentencing, he said, and he needed to consider Ghali’s age, lack of prior offending and very strong prospects of rehabilitation.
Ghali was not speeding or using his phone at the time of the crash and was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
He was diagnosed with an adjustment disorder following the offending, which Wraight accepted would make his time in jail more difficult.
Ghali rubbed his eyes throughout the hearing and dropped his head as he learnt of his sentence.
Dozens of his friends and family members packed the court, and they called out their love as he was led from the room by guards.
AAP
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Most Viewed in National
Loading
