Drug pipe found in car that killed Makayla Tritton and mum Karin

A DRUG pipe found in the car that killed a Moreton Bay mother and daughter in a Christmas Day horror smash was still warm when police discovered it.

• ‘It can’t be real’: Duo mourned

A DRUG pipe found in the car that killed a Moreton Bay mother and daughter in a Christmas Day horror smash was still warm when police discovered it.

The injured driver of the BMW, Mark Veneris, 46, tried to discharge himself from hospital after he woke up unaware of what had happened.

Makayla Tritton and mum Karin were killed in the crash as they were travelling with other family members to Christmas lunch. Picture: Living&Loving photography

Veneris has been charged with one count each of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death and dangerous operation of a vehicle causing grievous bodily harm.

Mark Veneris was driving the BMW.

Blood test results are still pending, but police said further charges could be laid over the horror smash that killed Makayla Tritton, 18, and her mother Karin, 56, of Narangba.

Officers said the family, on their way to Christmas lunch, had no chance of avoiding the head-on collision, in which Veneris’ car crossed the median strip on Manly Rd, Manly West.

Superintendent Dave Johnson yesterday said five additional witnesses had come forward in relation to the tragedy, which has shocked veteran police officers.

He appealed for anyone with dashcam video or security footage from homes facing Manly Rd to contact police.

The Trittons had been on their way to Christmas lunch with relatives when the tragedy unfolded.

Makayla’s sister Tarmeka and father Laurence were last night in a stable condition in hospital. Tarmeka, 23, is believed to have a broken ankle and Laurence, 55, fractured vertebrae.

The Courier-Mail has been told Veneris was also driving to his mother’s house at Tingalpa, just minutes away, for Christmas lunch when he crashed.

Police at the scene of the accident on Christmas Day. Picture: AAP/John Gass

“They were all waiting for him and he just didn’t come,” a friend said.

Veneris lost his father in July last year and the friend said he had struggled since.

Makayla’s best friend, Maddy Kemp, yesterday said they were like “sisters”.

Ms Kemp, 21, from Murrumba Downs, said that when she found out her friend with the “infectious smile” had been killed, all she could do was scream “no, no”.

Makayla Tritton.

Pictures: Supplied

“I was absolutely crushed. Receiving that phone call broke me into so many pieces I couldn’t count,” she said.

Ms Kemp said she would miss Makayla’s personality and her “ability to make everyone love her instantly with her smile”.

“Makayla was a beautiful soul, she was the most selfless person ever and she had a smile which brightened any room no matter how dark,” she said.

“She was more than my best friend, she was my sister.

“We’ve known each other pretty much since she was born; we bought her parents’ house when she was only a couple (of) years old.

“Karin was a great mum (who) did her best for those girls and was always a laugh,” Ms Kemp said.

“She was always there for you.”

A woman places flowers at the site of the accident. Picture: AAP/John Gass

For some, grief is giving way to anger. A friend of the family who contacted The Courier-Mail said she wanted to see justice done.

“We need to fight for justice,” she said.

“Makayla will never know the joy of being a mother, Karin will never know a grandmother’s joy.”

Makayla Tritton was a talented state Tenpin Bowling player. Picture: Bradley Cooper

Makayla’s boyfriend of eight months Tyson Key, 19, of Victoria, said the couple met at a bowling tournament interstate and had grown very close in such a short time.

“She’s the most loveable person and that’s why I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her,” he said.