A teenage girl who was fatally struck by a ute one month before she turned 18 was comforted by a pastor who held her hands during her final moments.
Olivia Chivers, 17, is being remembered as a ‘beautiful and gentle’ young woman following her tragic death in southeast Queensland about 11.25pm on Monday.
She was allegedly struck by a white Nissan Navara ute on Margate Parade at Margate, north of Brisbane, and suffered critical injuries.
Frank Moneger, 58, was charged with one count of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death and leaving the scene of an incident without obtaining help.
Among the witnesses who rushed to Olivia’s side following the collision was Pastor John Lean, who prayed for her and held her hands.
‘There didn’t appear to be any fear in her eyes, there didn’t appear to be any pain she was going through,’ Pastor Lean told the Courier Mail.
Olivia’s mother, Tracey Chivers, said she felt peace knowing her Christian daughter had been supported by a pastor, describing the moment as ‘divine timing’.
‘She was never afraid of dying, because she knew she would go to heaven, so it didn’t scare her, not that she wanted to go,’ Ms Chivers said.
Olivia Chivers (pictured) was killed in an alleged hit-and-run about 11.25pm on Monday
Frank Moneger (pictured) has been charged with dangerous driving causing death and leaving the scene of the incident without obtaining help.
Olivia was allegedly struck by a white Nissan Navara ute (pictured) north of Brisbane. The vehicle was seized by police following the alleged hit-and-run
Pastor Lean is now in charge of organising Olivia’s funeral.
Ms Chivers revealed the last words her daughter said to her were ‘I love you’ only a few hours before the tragic incident.
‘She gave me a kiss through the fence and said ‘I love you, mum’, that was the last time I spoke to her,’ she said.
Olivia’s family said she had dreams of being a songwriter with her older sister Brooke, who she had asked to film her music videos.
Bodycam footage showed detectives entering Moneger’s Scarborough home and bundling him into the back of a car in handcuffs on Tuesday.
Moneger – who was born in the French city of Marseille – has not entered a plea.
He allegedly told his son he’d ‘hit someone last night’ and saw something at the ‘last second’.
Police said the 58-year-old had allegedly told officers he had consumed alcohol the afternoon before the crash.
Olivia’s family said she loved song writing, the colour pink and her Chihuahua called Diva
Olivia’s family said she was comforted by a group of strangers, including Pastor John Lean
Prosecutor Sheree Wilde said police were still investigating whether he was intoxicated that night.
Just minutes before the crash, Olivia had approached a resident and asked to use their phone as she had been separated from her friends.
The matter is next due to be heard on February 12.
A GoFundMe page was set up on Friday to support Olivia’s family, raising almost $4,000 in the first 24 hours.
‘Olivia loved to write song lyrics, Lana Del Rey, and the colour pink,’ a statement from the organiser read.
‘She also adored her dog, a Chihuahua named Diva, who is actually a boy with a girl’s name – buying toys for him even before she knew she was getting one. Her tragic loss is incomprehensible.
‘Losing a loved one, and especially a child, is something nobody should have to endure, let alone the financial challenges associated with it.’
The funds will help the family organise a funeral for Olivia, and grant them ‘some breathing space financially’ as they heal from the tragedy.
