Cheryl Liu and daughters Grace and Debbie pay tribute to 14-year-old schoolgirl Aivy Nguyen. Credit:Simon Schluter Early morning commuters and schoolchildren stopped to read messages of support for Aivy's heartbroken family, who visited the scene on Wednesday night. Mitcham resident Cheryl Liu and her daughters, Debbie, 12, and Grace, 9, stood reading the messages at the intersection on their way to school. "I can't imagine what it was like for the teenage girl... It's very sad for the parents, this is a very dangerous spot," said Ms Liu. "I drive past this way every day, I hope it can get safer. Every morning, I just stop [at this intersection]. It doesn't matter if it's a red light or green light, I stop here."

Aivy Nguyen's mother, younger sister and other family members visited the scene of the tragedy on Wednesday night. Credit:Eddie Jim A family united in grief On Wednesday night, Aivy's grief-stricken mother sobbed and clutched family members at the intersection where her daughter was hit as she crossed Whitehorse Road on her way to school about 7am Wednesday. Her mother cried and held the teen's younger sister, Aileen, as they arrived at the scene with about a dozen family members, including aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents.

They lit candles and placed them at the base of a traffic light. Some family members were so distraught they kneeled down to pray at the scene. Another family member placed a small plate with three cookies on it next to the traffic light. 'A beautiful young student' Aivy's secondary school paid tribute on Thursday to a 'beautiful young student' who only started at the school last year.

Mount Alexander College principal Wayne Haworth said their thoughts were with the teen's family. "We're deeply saddened by the news of the tragic loss of a beautiful young student," Mr Haworth said. "Aivy came to Mount Alexander College midway through last year. Despite the fact that she's only been here for a relatively short time, her personality and her friendliness meant she made really strong connections. "She made an impact at the school, she was a great student and she had a passion for learning. "We will be doing everything we can to support those who need it during this difficult time.

"Teachers, wellbeing staff and counsellors are available at the school to talk with students that need additional support." 'We love her so much' Aivy's cousin Kimberley Nguyen said the schoolgirl was kind and gentle and had always looked after her younger sister. “They were joined at the hip,” she said. “She was a very smart and innocent girl. She loved English, she didn’t like maths. She was quiet, but talkative around people she knew.

"She was beautiful. We love her so much.” Aivy Nguyen's grieving family light candles. Credit:Eddie Jim One of Aivy's uncles said the teen was a good girl who looked after her family. “We are just in shock that this could happen,” he said. “We can’t believe she is gone.” Witness account of tragedy

A witness told The Age he saw the tragedy unfold. "I saw the [driver] going to make the turn and was thinking 'Is he gonna stop and give way?'... That poor girl. I helped with others the best I could," he said. The driver of the black Makita-branded truck, who was travelling south on Dampier Grove and turning left onto Maroondah Highway, did not stop after the crash. A 39-year-old NSW man contacted police shortly after the incident and was questioned by detectives. He was released on Wednesday afternoon pending further inquiries. The scene of the hit-run in Ringwood. Credit:Channel Seven

Police found the truck outside the Holmesglen TAFE campus in Malvern East, where it was examined by forensics officers. In a statement, Makita said the driver was assisting police and the company would co-operate in any way it could. "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the young girl who lost her life," the statement said. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video A driver of a second truck stopped to help the teenager, as well as neighbours, before she was taken to the Royal Children's Hospital in a critical condition with suspected head, face and chest injuries. She died in hospital from her injuries.

CCTV footage from one of the small businesses on the corner of the intersection is reportedly being examined by police. 'I am praying to God it isn't her' Ringwood resident Louis Datoi drives past the intersection every morning before work and said he would usually see a schoolgirl standing at the traffic lights of the busy intersection waiting to cross the road about 7am. "I am praying to God it isn’t her," he said. Louis Datoi placed flowers and a note at the scene. Credit:Eddie Jim

He said his wife and young son had been hit by cars, but not seriously injured, while crossing the same stretch of road. "I just wish somebody would do something about this road it’s very dangerous," he said. "It’s one of our neighbours; somebody’s child is not going home today." Mr Datoi placed a bunch of white roses and a card at the scene on Wednesday afternoon. "You were young and your life tragically taken," the card read. "Our thoughts and love to your family. We don’t know you, but you have touched us."

'A notorious black spot' Chrizzel Pontanes at the Intersection of Dampier Grove and Maroondah Highway. Credit:Joe Armao Hairdresser Chrizzel Pontanes from R&B Haircraft, which faces the intersection where the crash happened, said it was a well-known black spot. "It's notorious for crashes: T-bones, cars crashing, rollovers, car on bike," she said. "No one knows who to give way to, and pedestrians cross over Maroondah Highway while turning lanes at Heatherdale Road and Dampier Grove both go at the same time so no one knows who to give way to."

Father-of-two Alhad Harne, whose 12-year-old daughter attends a nearby school and crosses the intersection several times a day, said the death of the teenager had shaken him. "It's a very notorious intersection, particularly for pedestrians. The worst thing I always observe is that cars, when pedestrians come, they don't stop," he said. "In many incidents I have to have my hands up to make the car stop, then they stop. They see the pedestrian crossing and still they want to go fast." The intersection after the accident. Credit:Channel Seven

He said change was needed. "They should change it as soon as possible to avoid all this confusion and people should wait for pedestrians, give them the way first."

Mr Harne picked his daughter up from the train station on Wednesday afternoon rather than letting her walk home. “I cross that road everyday by myself and now I’m just scared to cross it,” said 12-year-old Niharika Harne. The nearby Heatherdale train station in Mitcham, on the Lilydale and Belgrave lines, is used by hundreds of locals each day as they get to work and school.