When Mary Iviglia was struck outside hospital, her family’s world almost ‘fell apart’ (2025)

When 66-year-old Mary Iviglia was allegedly struck with her own car outside a hospital in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs, her family thought their world “was going to fall apart”.

The beloved mother and grandmother, from Beaconsfield Upper in Melbourne’s outer south-east, was dropping off her husband Jorge Iviglia for day surgery at Casey Hospital in Berwick on Wednesday when the alleged incident unfolded, Mary’s daughter Georgie Thobis confirmed to The Age.

Mary stopped their SUV near the hospital’s emergency entry, and was getting her husband a wheelchair when someone got into their car, Thobis said.

When she tried to stop the thief – who police allege is 25-year-old Adam Barry – from driving away, they hit her before driving off.

“When we got this call that both of our parents had been hospitalised, it was like the world was going to fall apart,” Thobis told Nine News.

“She’s wonderful. She’s been a wonderful mum, and a wonderful grandma.

“You really learn to appreciate the people in your life when something like this happens.”

Mary was in a serious but stable condition in intensive care at The Alfred hospital as of Thursday evening, Thobis said.

Along with broken ribs, Mary sustained a punctured lung, and cuts and bruises when she was struck.

She was initially in a critical condition after the incident on Wednesday. “[She’s] very sore and battered around,” Thobis told Nine.

Police arrested Barry on Wednesday afternoon in Pioneer Bay, more than 50 kilometres south-east of the scene, and the allegedly stolen Ford Territory was found nearby.

He was charged with theft of motor vehicle, dangerous driving causing serious injury, unlicensed driving, reckless conduct endanger life and failing to render assistance.

Barry appeared before Dandenong Magistrates Court on Thursday, slouched forward with his head down, where Magistrate Steven Raleigh remanded him in custody.

His defence lawyer revealed a list of injuries that would need to be treated by a prison nurse, including bleeding on his forehead, a cut to his right wrist and an injury to his left hand.

The accused driver will next appear before the court on May 12.

Local MP and Opposition Leader Brad Battin, who lives near the scene of the event, described the alleged car theft as “another violent incident at a hospital” in the city.

“We need to make sure that this kind of violence stops here in Victoria, and particularly at a place of healing,” he said.

“We need to make sure that we stand up and stamp it out.”

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In a statement, Monash Health, which administers Casey Hospital, said it was horrified and devastated that the alleged incident occurred at “a place of care and healing”.

“Our hearts are with the victim and her loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. We wish her strength and a swift recovery,” a spokesperson said.

“Monash Health continues to support Victoria Police, who have done an outstanding job, in their investigation.”

Alexander Darling with AAP

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