Buxton crash: Tyrell Edwards jailed for at least seven years over crash that killed five teenagers
Buxton crash: Tyrell Edwards jailed for at least seven years over crash that killed five teenagers
Judge laments ‘tragic and impossibly sad case’ while sentencing 20-year-old in NSW district court
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A probationary driver who killed five teenage school friends when he crashed a speeding ute will spend at least seven years in jail.
“I’m gonna go to jail,” Tyrell Edwards was heard saying after climbing from the wreckage of a Nissan Navara that crashed into two trees, killing the Picton high school students south-west of Sydney in September 2022.
“I can’t go to jail. I don’t want to go to jail,” Edwards said.
Family members of Antonio Desisto, Gabby McLennan, Tyrese Bechard, Lily Van de Putte and Summer Williams in November gave the court an idea of their devastating loss.
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In August Edwards pleaded guilty to five counts of aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death, which entitled him to a 25% discount on his sentence. The judge also found special circumstances for a lengthier parole period.
He sped to overtake another vehicle on the wrong side of the road and was travelling at about 118km/h when he crashed on East Parade at Buxton about 7.50pm on 6 September 2022.
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The dual-cab ute hit a tree, rebounded and slammed into another, tearing open the rear cabin and ejecting four of the teenagers.
The teens killed in the crash at Buxton were aged between 14 and 16. “Their deaths were completely avoidable and responsibility for them lies squarely at the feet of the offender,” the judge said.
Edwards had fully accepted responsibility and expressed true and deep remorse, the judge said.
He quoted from a statement Edwards gave to the court expressing his regret. “I can’t understand how unfair it is that I survived,” Edwards wrote.
Edwards was sentenced on his 20th birthday.
His sentence was backdated to 12 July to account for time already spent in custody and he will be eligible for release on parole from 11 July 2030.
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References
- ^ Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates (www.theguardian.com)
- ^ morning and afternoon news emails (www.theguardian.com)
- ^ free app (app.adjust.com)
- ^ daily news podcast (www.theguardian.com)
- ^ Family condemns ‘stupid decisions’ that killed five teenagers at Buxton crash driver sentencing hearing