The last day of kindergarten was supposed to be perfect for little Zoe Stephen. She had won a merit award at Carlingford Public School weeks ago and with Christmas less than a week away, she was excited about going to the movies with her cousin and friends on Friday.

"She'd had a brilliant year," her grandmother said.

But tragedy struck at 9.20am on Wednesday when a white Nissan Dualis was involved in a collision with Zoe, 5, her sister Elle, 4, their cousin Akshay, 6, and Akshay's 38-year-old mother as they crossed a driveway into the school.

Akshay and Elle were pinned under the car, killing Akshay instantly and breaking Elle's pelvis in two places.