David Dang relied on maxi-taxis to get around in his community and the last day of his life was no different.
The 18-year-old had Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and had relied on a wheelchair since he was six.
On July 20, 2019 his regular driver Lovejeet Singh drove him and his parents to an event in St Albans, and returned later to take them home.
But David never made it.
Driving through a Clayton intersection just after 8.30pm, the taxi was hit almost head-on by a car driven by 25-year-old Kevin Duong.
Despite facing a red light and without indicating, Duong made a right-hand turn into the path of the taxi, a prosecutor told the Victorian Supreme Court on Friday.
Duong is standing trial, having pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing David's death.
David slipped out of his seatbelt and partly onto the floor of the taxi in the collision.
His chair was strapped into the taxi but David's seatbelt was on incorrectly. The lap part of the belt wasn't in use and the sash was secured under his arm, instead of across his shoulder.
David's parents tried to help him back into the wheelchair, noticing the sash was tight across his chest.
With Mr Singh's help they managed to free him.
David was rushed to hospital where he went into cardiac arrest and could not be saved.
He was found to have suffered an acute lung injury.
With his medical history, his body could not cope.
Prosecutors allege Duong failed to keep a proper look out while driving and failed to give way to the maxi cab.
His driving immediately before the collision was dangerous, having regard to all the circumstances, the court heard.
He has pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing death.
A judge-alone trial before Justice Jane Dixon is expected to take six days and will include a viewing of the crash scene.
