Hunter Lavender: Young SA Woman Survives Horrible Taxi Crash

Hunter Lavender, 21, opened the rear passenger door of his Mercedes Ute as it was turning right and fell into the road, police said.

The car behind Ute managed to avoid her, but a merging taxi ran over Ms. Lavender.

Lavender’s mother, Hayley Batson, told her Facebook followers that her daughter suffered a “grave injury” that required surgery due to internal bleeding.

“Given what she’s been through, she’s doing pretty well,” Batson wrote.

“She fell out of a moving car and was run over by oncoming traffic while leaving town at 4am.”

“I never left her side,” she said. “She’s doing very well, all things considered.”

Police spoke with witnesses and reviewed CCTV footage to ascertain the situation.

Police said the driver of the Mercedes ute fled before arriving at the scene.

Batson said her daughter is likely to return to surgery for arm and pelvic surgery.

“She’s had a rough night trying to keep the pain under control, but we’re doing the best we can.”

“We are blessed to have her alive.”

A police investigation is ongoing and SAPOL has appealed to the Mercedes driver to step forward.

Anyone with information about the incident should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or go online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au.