Fears crash sparked by stunt for social media

DENNIS Sales’ family is “livid” their father is in an induced coma after a car crash they fear was caused by a social media stunt.

Shania McNeill, 21, appeared to be playing chicken in a social media video taken moments before she slammed head-on into the car carrying Mr Sales, 44, and another man at Berkshire Park, west of Sydney, about 1am on Sunday.

Ms McNeill died at the scene and her two friends – Hazel Wildman, 23, and Faeda Hunter, 20, – were taken to Westmead Hospital.

As the two injured women appeared in a selfie taken in hospital, Mr Sales was just metres away in Westmead’s intensive care unit with devastating injuries, including broken ribs and small spinal fractures.

His son’s girlfriend Amy McLean, said Mr Sales, a singer in a band, and another man were returning from a gig when the car veered into their path.

“He was put into an induced coma because his diaphragm ruptured and all his stomach went up into his chest,” Ms McLean said.

“He will be in hospital for six weeks then he’ll be off work from six months to a year.”

She said Mr Sales was expected to make a full recovery, along with the man who was driving and sustained lessserious injuries.

Ms McLean said the family had on Monday been horrified to see the social media video of Ms McNeill swerving into the path of oncoming traffic as her friends shrieked.

“It’s disgusting, absolutely disgusting,” Ms McLean said.

“We were absolutely livid to know they were willing to play with people’s lives like that.”

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said police had not ruled out drugs or alcohol and that social media distraction was also part of the investigation.