Trent Donovan, Broc Dawson remembered after Nirimba fatal crash

A careless motorcycle ripped away one young life and changed the course of another forever when he sped through a red light on the weekend. Now three families have been left asking the same question - why?

Trent Donovan was killed when his motorcycle collided with another vehicle.

Trent Donovan’s family and friends thought he had grown out of his life of crime and poor decisions.

Tragically, they were wrong.

In the early hours of Saturday, the 32-year-old recklessly rode his motorcycle through a red light in Nirimba on the Sunshine Coast.

He collided with the Toyota Corolla of 17-year-old Broc Dawson. They both died at the scene.

Jet Dennien, 16, a passenger in the Corolla, remains in hospital with a raft of injuries.

Mr Donovan ripped away one young life and changed the course of another forever.

Broc Dawson.

Jet Dennien. Picture - contributed.

The Morayfield man’s family said his actions that night were inexcusable.

“Trent wouldn’t have wanted this and we know that he wouldn’t have been able to live with himself if he had survived, knowing what had resulted from a split second of poor decision- making,” Mr Donovan’s twin brother Cody said.

“We cannot change what has happened and it is soul destroying to know that we all need to live with this now.

“We are not justifying or excusing his actions that night, but people need to know that Trent was not the person they are thinking he was.”

Mr Donovan was exposed to an unsavoury environment from an early age and on the wrong side of the law repeatedly, stuck in a vicious cycle he struggled to break.

“Unfortunately, some of these were too much to bare for someone so young, with little knowledge of how to appropriately process the lasting thoughts and emotions,” his friend Jo said.

Trent Donovan (left) with his sister Missy, brother Cody, mother Geraldine and brother Brandon.

“He had a deep understanding of his wrongdoings and how they had affected those closest to him, he was motivated to make things right.

“Trent spoke of his family, of his guilt for feeling as though he had let them down.

“Trent was proud of how well he was doing, of how far he had come. He was excited to start a new chapter and continue bettering his life – not just for himself but for his family too.”

Jo said Mr Donovan was a father and loved speaking with his daughter, who lived interstate.

She said motorcycles were his passion and an outlet to escape his troubled past.

“Trent struggled with his residual emotions from the terrible things he witnessed and was subjected too. Riding helped him feel free. It helped him feel happy,” she said.

Trent Donovan with his Yamaha motorcycle.

“Trent took great pride in his bike, always tinkering around with it adding new things or replacing others.

“He was proud of himself and excited to lead a better life and stay out of the system. He was finally discovering his own worth and believing he deserved happiness.”

Mr Donovan’s journey to self-improvement carelessly came to an end on Saturday.

As the Dawson family continue to grieve the loss of Broc and the Denniens continue to nurture Jet back to health, the Donovans grapple with the same question – why?

“We are deeply hurt and struggling to comprehend this tragic accident,” Mr Donovan’s sister Missy said.

Flowers in honour of 17-year-old Broc Dawson. Picture: Patrick Woods.

A cross in honour of Trent Donovan at the crash site. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“I have no doubt that the decision he made to speed that night and in that moment, was not out of lack of regard for others’ lives, including his own – it was a momentary lack of judgement.

“We will never heal from this tragedy and the pain will never subside.

“We are heartbroken for the pain and grief Broc’s family and friends are experiencing. It is not something they should have to go through.

“All of our lives have been changed forever in the worst imaginable way.”

Investigations into the crash are ongoing.