Andrew Lyness’s heartbreaking victim impact statement for wife Christine

The heartbroken husband of a nurse and mother, killed by a speeding stolen car driver, has spoken about his daily tears and the moment he was faced with her “broken body”. *Distressing.

Beloved nurse, wife and mum Christine Lyness, with husband Andrew Lyness, was killed in a horror crash at Sunshine Acres.

The heartbroken husband of an Ozcare nurse and mum of two has told of the moment he had to identify his beloved wife after a speeding driver under the influence of meth cut her life cruelly short.

It comes after Jayden Lindsay Ainslie, 26, pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance while excessively speeding, possessing dangerous drugs, and wearing of approved seatbelts by drivers, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and driving unlicensed (full story here).

Ainslie was driving a stolen Ford Escape on Booral Rd, Sunshine Acres when he collided with a car carrying Christine Lyness, 39, a mum of two and much-loved wife and nurse about 10pm March 31, 2024.

Ms Lyness was on her way to work when the crash happened, and she died at the scene despite the efforts of emergency services.

Beloved nurse, wife and mum Christine Lyness was killed in a horror crash at Sunshine Acres.

Addressing the court, Andrew Lyness said he suffered from multiple sclerosis, arthritis, severe depression and anxiety.

He told of seeing his mother dead in her bed when he was six after she died of cancer.

Mr Lyness was raised by his grandmother, aunty and cousin, he said.

But at 15 he lost his grandmother and at 16 his aunt died.

He then lost his cousin to leukaemia when they were in their early 20s.

“When I met Christine, she helped me overcome so much grief,” he said.

But on March 31 last year, he had lost his wife, carer and best friend, Mr Lyness said.

“I’m now widowed and a solo parent to two teenagers in a home without the ability to earn an income.

“I haven’t been able to go a single day without crying and screaming randomly.

“I try to do it when the children are at school, but it happens whenever and wherever far too often.

“Every time I start to feel confident enough to try to better our situation I just crumble, quickly becoming a nervous wreck.

“I fear this devastation is permanent.”

Mr Lyness said since Christine died, he wakes crying around 2 to 3am and everything reminded him of her death or their life together.

“Every memory is tainted by this tragedy,” he said.

Jayden Lindsey Ainslie from Morayfield pleaded guilty to causing the crash which killed Hervey Bay nurse Christine Lyness.

“Every photo, every Knick knack, the rooms of our home, the beloved fruit trees that we planted all bring me to tears.

“The kitchen table where they sat me down and delivered the most horrific news and handed me Christine’s phone and wedding ring.

“The spot in the kitchen I stood hugging my children, telling them their mother had been killed.”

His computer and phone reminded him of the “dozens of hearts” he’d had to break, telling loved ones of Christine’s death.

Mr Lyness said he remembered Christine having her last meal, kissing him goodnight and going to work for the last time.

He was haunted by her “beautiful face”, which he saw when he identified her “broken body” the morning after the crash.

“My heart broke further when I wasn’t allowed to be in the room with her.”

The family had taken Christine’s ashes to the Philippines, where she was buried next to her mother.

Mr Lyness described being terrified at each flight security point that he wouldn’t be allowed to travel with her urn.

“Dealing with so many agencies, banks and companies, the paperwork that all meant the same awful truth – I had lost the love of my life, my rock and carer who stuck with me through my mental and physical illnesses, who cared for so many others throughout her life, is dead forever.”

Beloved wife and mother Christine Lyness.

The crash had wiped out their hopes and dreams for the future, he said.

Mr Lyness also had to watch his children suffer daily, especially as they drove by the spot where their mother died regularly on the way to school.

“My children miss out on their mother’s love every day,” he said.

“Christine never got to witness her children drive for the first time, fall in love or have their hearts broken.

“She never gets to see them graduate, reach adulthood. No formals, weddings or grandchildren for Christine.

“For the rest of their young lives my children won’t have their mother by their side, experiencing life the way others get to.”

Christine’s overseas family hadn’t seen her in 13 years and now would never get to again.

Instead, her father had to bury his daughter.

“My life was hard before with chronic illnesses of the body and mind.

The scene of a horror fatal crash on Booral Rd at Sunshine Acres.

“Now it has become something worse, hollow and devastatingly lonely.

“Every day Christine should be coming home by 7am, up at night for dinner, in our room sleeping during the day after work.

“We looked forward to Tuesdays, her one day off.”

But she would never come home to give her love and care and receive it from her family, Mr Lyness said.

Christine had worked the hardest shift, caring for some of the most vulnerable people, and in return she had been killed.

Ainslie leant forward in the dock and listened as Mr Lyness read out his victim impact statement.

The court heard he had written a letter of apology that displayed real remorse to Ms Lyness’ family.

Several references were also provided to the court, testifying to his remorse and his positive attributes.

Judge Jennifer Rosengren sentenced Ainslie to 9 years in prison, with no parole eligibility date.

He was disqualified from driving absolutely.