At a Glance
- A blue hatchback drove through the window of a liquor store at Southlands Shopping Center in Mawson, Australia, around 10:20 a.m. on Jan. 18
- A 4-year-old boy inside the store was struck and later pronounced dead at Canberra Hospital
- The driver is assisting police; ACT’s Major Collision Team is investigating
- Why it matters: The tragedy marks the territory’s second road fatality of 2026 and raises urgent safety questions about storefront protection
A quiet Sunday morning turned fatal when a car plowed into a liquor store at Southlands Shopping Center in Mawson, Australia, killing a 4-year-old boy who had been shopping inside.
Crash Sequence
The incident unfolded shortly after 10:20 a.m. local time on Jan. 18, according to ACT Policing. Witnesses told The Canberra Times that a blue hatchback traveled from a nearby area straight through the storefront glass.
Emergency crews arrived to find the child critically injured. Paramedics provided immediate treatment at the scene before rushing him to Canberra Hospital. Despite medical intervention, the boy was declared dead a short time later.
> “ACT Fire and Rescue and ACTAS arrived at the scene and immediately treated the young person,” ACT Policing Inspector Nigel Booth told The Canberra Times.
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> “The young person was transported to Canberra Hospital, where medical treatment was commenced. Unfortunately, that young 4-year-old boy has passed away.”
On-Site Reaction
The crash drew a massive emergency response. William Polinelli, a local resident, said he was having breakfast with a friend when they noticed roughly 10 police cars outside the shopping complex.
> “We saw the car in there and we instantly thought it was a robbery,” Polinelli recalled.
His friend, Jack Berg, described the scene as “a bit disturbing,” noting that three police vehicles raced past them as they exited the driveway. An ambulance followed with lights flashing toward the hospital.
A photo released by 7NEWS Australia shows shopping bags still inside the car’s open trunk, underscoring how suddenly routine errands turned tragic.
Investigation Status
Inspector Booth confirmed the driver is at the hospital helping police with their inquiries. The ACT Road Policing’s Major Collision Team has taken over the investigation. Officers will compile a report for the coroner.
The 4-year-old’s death is the second road fatality recorded in the Australian Capital Territory in 2026, according to ACT Policing.
Key Facts
- Time of crash: Around 10:20 a.m. on Jan. 18
- Location: Southlands Shopping Center, Mawson, Australia
- Vehicle: Blue hatchback
- Victim: 4-year-old boy inside the liquor store
- Outcome: Child died at Canberra Hospital
- Investigators: ACT Major Collision Team
Authorities have not released the driver’s identity or any potential charges. The liquor store remains part of an active crime scene while forensic officers examine the site.
Key Takeaways:
- A single-vehicle crash into a storefront claimed the life of a 4-year-old boy
- Emergency responders arrived within minutes but could not save the child
- The driver is cooperating with police; no arrests have been announced
- The incident is the territory’s second road death of the year
