Bishnu ‘Himali’ Gurung: Daughter of Rivervale crash victim says there are ‘no words’ to describe ‘bad dream’

The heartbroken daughter of a grandmother allegedly killed in her sleep by a 36-year-old driver has spoken of her grief, saying there are “no words” to describe this “bad dream”.

Bishnu Kumari Gurung — known to friends and family as Himali — was killed on impact after Rhyse Robert Hawkins’ yellow Ford Falcon allegedly veered off the road and smashed into her daughter’s rental property on Alexander Road, in Rivervale, about 11.40pm on Friday.

The West Australian understands she was sleeping on the floor when the incident unfolded.

Mr Hawkins has since been charged with unlawful killing under circumstances as not to constitute murder and criminal damage or destruction of property and is behind bars in custody.

The 53-year-old’s daughter, Nisha Gurung, said her mother had only arrived in Perth from Nepal on Tuesday to spend time with her family and four-year-old grandson.

She said her family was “broken” and said the tragedy had created a hole that “can never be filled”.

“There is no words to express my feelings, it’s all in my heart,” she said on Sunday.

“(Mum) was very happy and a fun-loving person ... she came here only last Tuesday, so it’s a disaster for our family.

“My mind cannot process anything, I still feel like it’s a bad dream.”

Nisha said she wanted her mother’s legacy to be honoured, adding she wanted to see justice served.

“There’s always good justice from this country, and I hope the same thing will be for my mum,” she said.

Ms Gurung’s niece, Sumita Gurung, said her aunty was a constant source of happiness, and described her death as a “tragedy”.

“We know the event was tragic and it’s very horrible, we don’t remember much, but when we think of (her) we start to smile,” she said.

“She would just light up the place wherever she goes.

“There would never be a dull moment with her around us ... even a small happiness would really turn into a very big celebration around her.”

Ms Gurung’s family have since launched a GoFundMe to assist with travel and funeral costs.

Sumita said the family was arranging for Ms Gurung’s son and daughter-in-law to fly to Perth.

“We never anticipated this event would happen ... and we were not prepared financially,” she said.

“We need to bring her son (to Perth), because as per our Hindu culture and religion, the son is the one who offers the final goodbye to a mum or dad.

“We need to bring him, but he is not emotionally stable at this stage, so we need to bring his wife so that she (can) support him.

“We have to process an urgent visa for her son and (daughter-in-law), including flight tickets for both ways, as well as to have her cremated over here ... then the whole family will want to go home and complete their family rituals, so everything is going to be quite expensive.

“On top of that you (can) see how the house has turned into, so we need to urgently relocate (the family) and (Nisha) has to leave her work and everything.”

The Alexander Road property was eerily silent on Sunday morning, with a bunch of flowers left at the front door a reminder of the tragedy.

There were no police in the area, but a metal fence covered in black material and red and yellow DFES tape surrounded the hole in the wall and rubble.

A sheet of plywood covered the point of impact.

Danger tape was also strung across the adjourning fence between the neighbouring property where it appears the car drove through.

Nepali Association of Western Australia president Navin Bhandari said the tragedy had sent shockwaves through WA’s Nepalise community.

“We feel really saddened about what has happened, it is hard to put it into words,” he said.

“Its really tragic, tragic news ... she was a really bubbly and happy woman.

“Its a tragic loss and as a community we are grieving and will help the family in all possible ways.”