Huge development after driver ploughed into diners as they sat outside a cafe - trapping one woman under the car

By MATT JONES, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 07:45, 16 May 2026 | Updated: 07:55, 16 May 2026 A driver who allegedly ploughed into diners as they sat outside a Sydney café has been charged months after pinning a woman against a wall. Peter Khila, 35, was accused of being on drugs when he allegedly crashed his BMW into the front of The Cupcake Room on Norton Street in Leichhardt in October. He was arrested at Auburn Police Station on Friday and charged with seven offences over the horror crash which left a 67-year-old woman needing surgery. CCTV footage showed the BMW driver initially getting out of the driver's seat, before he sat back behind the wheel and drove away moments later. Dozens of witnesses rushed to aid the woman, who had been sitting outside the cafe with her husband when tables and chairs suddenly went flying. 'The lady was pinned by the car and her legs were trapped,' witness Kieran Fox said. 'She managed to pull herself out a bit so she's walking wounded.' Police found Khila and his vehicle a short time later and took him to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital under police guard. Peter Khila, 35, is accused of crashing his BMW into the front of The Cupcake Room on Norton Street in Leichhardt in October Witnesses tried to get Khila out of his car after the incident Chairs were left scattered at The Cupcake Room on Norton Street in Leichhardt The BMW was also filmed crashing into bushes outside a home on Allen Street, before a female paramedic tried to stop him. 'Stop… No, no, no… Get out. Don't move,' she told him. Sean McKeen was with Mr Fox as they drove behind him, waiting to turn from Allen Street onto Norton Street, and noticed he was slumped behind the wheel. 'It (the car) started to creep across the road so we jumped out and started banging on the window saying 'wake up, wake up' and there was no response,' Mr McKeen said. 'He hit the kerb and jolted awake and accidentally, I'm assuming, he hit the accelerator.' Khila was treated at the scene, arrested and drug tested before being released. The injured woman underwent surgery for lower body injuries. This week, Khila was charged with aggravated dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm under the influence of drugs, dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and causing bodily harm by misconduct in charge of a motor vehicle. He was also charged with driving with illicit drugs present in his blood, and two counts of failing to stop and assist after causing injury. He was refused bail to appear before the Bail Division Court on Saturday. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.