Caitlyn Dickson: Parents of teen injured in Burswood car meet crash says she’s in the ‘fight of her life’

The parents of a teenage girl who was critically injured in a crash during a car meet near Crown Casino says their daughter is in the “fight of her life.” In a statement on Tuesday night, Paul and Bec Dickson said their 17-year-old daughter, Caitlyn, remained in a critical condition in the intensive care unit at Royal Perth Hospital after she was struck by a Black Honda Civic sedan as she was walked across Camfield Drive, Burswood, about 9.55pm on Monday. “We can’t believe what has happened and are still in shock,” they said. “We are so very grateful to the first responders. It is a miracle our beautiful girl is still alive thanks to your efforts. “Caitlyn is fighter and we known she is in for the fight of her life.” The teenager suffered serious injuries — including internal bleeding and several broken bones — before she was rushed to hospital. A 25-year-old man from Ascot, allegedly behind the wheel of the speeding Honda, has been charged over with dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm - in circumstances of aggravation. The driver, who was uninjured, will face the Perth magistrates court on Wednesday. An online fundraiser has since been launched to assist the family. “We are reaching out with heavy hearts to ask for your support for Caitlyn, a 17-year-old girl, and her family, who are going through the most unimaginable time of their lives,” the fundraiser said. “Recently, a devastating accident occurred that has left Caitlyn with life-changing injuries and turned her family’s world upside down. “Caitlyn is a bright, beautiful soul—full of love, laughter, and compassion. “She has always been the first to help others, to lift those around her with her warmth and strength. Now, she and her family need us to be their strength.” The fundraiser, which can be found here, said the road ahead for the young girl was “long and uncertain.” “Every dollar raised will go directly toward(s) helping Caitlyn recover and supporting her family as they navigate this heartbreaking new reality.” The incident has sparked widespread backlash against the alleged behaviour of hoons who attend car meets across Perth, with several people referencing other crashes and near misses. The West has seen videos of the crash which injured the young girl, burnouts, another vehicle crashing into a pole near the scene at a previous event in Burswood. Police Commissioner Col Blanch alleged the sedan involved in Monday’s crash was speeding and said police were already at the car meet, revealing his officers had seized a luxury sports car — a red McLaren Coupe —earlier in the night. Mr Blanch said he didn’t oppose organised car meets, but said his officers would be “clamping down” on reckless driving. The organisers of Monday’s event shared a short statement over Instagram via the account @mondaymeets_perth in the wake of the crash. “We’re still collecting information and processing how to deal with the events of tonight going forward, the statement said. “Our thoughts and best wishes are with the people affected. In another post on Tuesday night, the organisers said all future car meets were “postponed until further notice, out of respect and to allow time for reflection and change”.