Mechanic deaths trial verdict: Aaron Pitt’s father speaks on horror 18 month ordeal

The families of two young Sunshine Coast mechanic’s killed by a “groggy” driver on a busy main road have spent the last 18 months waiting for justice, revealing the toll it’s taken.

The father of a young Sunshine Coast mechanic who was killed by a woman driving while “groggy” from prescription medication has opened up on the daily struggle of living without his son.

Aaron Pitt, 25, was working alongside Lleyton Bartlett, 22, repairing a broken down bus on Nambour Connection Rd at Woombye on April 21, 2022, when they were struck by a white BMW driven by Warana woman Kelly Renee Liddicoat, 44, while she was affected by prescription medication.

Lleyton Bartlett (left) and Aaron Pitt (right) were killed by Kelly Liddicoat while they were repairing a broken down bus at Woombye on April 21, 2022.

Liddicoat, who had pleaded not guilty to one charge of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance, was found guilty by a jury in the Maroochydore District Court on October 18 following an eight-day trial.

The verdict sparked an emotional response in the courtroom, from both friends and family of Lleyton and Aaron, and Liddicoat and her supporters.

Kelly Liddicoat (black hair) leaves Maroochydore Court House. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Outside the courthouse, Aaron’s father, Rob Pitt, spoke to the media on behalf of the two families and said the verdict meant “justice for (their) boys”.

Mr Pitt told the Sunshine Coast Daily prior to the trial commencing, waiting 18 months for the matter to progress through court had taken “way too long”.

“It’s been hard for us to understand and get our heads around this whole situation,” Mr Pitt said.

“However, it’s real life and I’ve just got to stay positive to get justice for our son, and of course Lleyton as well.”

Currimundi man Aaron Pitt, 25. Photos: Supplied

Mr Pitt said a meeting with prosecutors prior to the trial left him feeling “extremely angry” at Liddicoat, something he hadn’t felt since the incident.

“She could have made it easier for us … I don’t understand how anyone with a conscience or a heart could do that and not to reach out to families in the early stages after what happened, to reach out and say ‘I’m sorry’,” he said.

The family had experienced the first anniversary of the incident and two of Aaron’s birthdays since his death, but life was “definitely not the same” without him, Mr Pitt said.

“It’s hard to find happiness in a lot of things … many days are a real struggle,” he said.

Currimundi man Aaron Pitt, 25. Photos: Supplied

“My wife and I had a lot of goals we were wanting to do, in regards to travel and work, and all that’s diminished.”

Their only solace was overwhelming support from family and Aaron’s close friends, many of whom stood by them in the courtroom throughout the emotional eight-day trial.

Mr Pitt said they were “very fortunate and thankful” for the support.

The family had moved to the Sunshine Coast from Sydney when Aaron was very young, Mr Pitt said, and despite a rocky start in a new environment, Aaron “relished” living on the Coast.

“He loved the beach, he loved the cafes, he loved the hinterland, he enjoyed climbing the mountains, friends, taking photos … he loved the lifestyle and we were very proud and happy to see that play out,” Mr Pitt said.

Currimundi man Aaron Pitt, 25. Photos: Supplied

Aaron was completing a fast-tracked apprenticeship as a heavily diesel mechanic at CDC and had been at the company for about two years when he was killed, Mr Pitt said.

He would have been fully qualified earlier this year.

Mr Pitt said his son was “working hard to set himself up with a great life” when he was killed, working towards saving up for a house deposit. He made them “extremely proud” to be his parents.

“He was … a great human being to be around,” Mr Pitt said.

Lisa Bartlett, Lleyton’s mother, politely declined to be interviewed for this story on behalf of the Bartlett family.

Kelly Liddicoat will be sentenced in the Maroochydore District Court on December 11, 2022. She did not make an application for bail and was remanded in custody after the verdict.