‘Perfect daughter’: Dad’s grief for talented twin Erica Hoy after she was killed in horror crash

The victim of a horror smash on the Port River Expressway has been identified as a budding film enthusiast, ripped apart from her twin sister in a split-second tragedy.

Erica Hoy was killed in a road crash on the Port River Expressway. Picture: Facebook

The 26-year-old victim of a horrific smash on the Port River Expressway has been identified as young film enthusiast Erica Hoy, whose twin sister was in the car with her at the moment of tragedy.

Speaking to The Advertiser, Erica’s dad, Greg Hoy called her the “perfect daughter”.

“She never gave us anything to worry about,” he said.

Erica Hoy was in a red Toyota Prius with her boyfriend Mike Reader, 29, and sister Lisa Hoy, when it was allegedly struck by Carlie Eileen Richards, 38, just after 9pm on Tuesday night.

“I’m glad she didn’t pass away alone,” Mr Hoy said, saying he was grateful Erica died with those she loved the most around her – her twin sister and loving boyfriend.

“She was a bright, happy, positive young girl,” said Mr Hoy, of North Haven.

An amazing student, Erica was one of the top students at her high school but it was acting that ignited a passion within her. She was the lead in her school’s musical production of Alice in Wonderland, her dad said.

“She was coming back from an acting course ... when it happened,” Mr Hoy said.

Their car was sent careering into an oncoming B-triple, killing Erica and seriously injuring the driver and other passenger, who were taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

It is alleged that Ms Richards fled the scene before being later apprehended by police.

Erica and Lisa Hoy in images taken by photographer Peter Hall as part of the Pilgrim Project. Picture: Peter Hall

Identical twin sisters Erica and Lisa, who use the surname Kunimatsu in Japan, were born to a Japanese mother and Australian father and migrated to Australia in 2015.

They studied at Flinders University, where Erica completed a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Chinese and French and Lisa studied a Bachelor of Arts majoring in French and Screen and Media.

A passionate member of Adelaide’s arts community, Erica had recently appeared in a film at the Adelaide Film Festival and last year in locally-produced web series The Reality of Humanity.

She also walked the runway for The Boutiques, an organisation promoting diversity in the fashion industry.

“She was a really polite and positive girl,” Erica’s dad said.

Erica and Lisa had just celebrated their 26th birthdays in September.

Erica Hoy was killed in a road crash on the Port River Expressway. Picture: Facebook

Erica and Lisa Hoy in images taken by photographer Peter Hall as part of the Pilgrim Project. Picture: Peter Hall

Friend and colleague, photographer Peter Hall, said the girls were “the closest things to me other than my own daughters”.

“They were soul mates, a unique artistic partnership,” he said.

“I’m just devastated by what has been taken away well before it was time.

“There were more adventures ahead. They came as a package pair – when they were working together it was truly unique.

“It was like working with one person even though there were two people – and yet they were also individuals in their own right.”

Mr Hall said he had spoken to Lisa after the accident from her hospital bed.

“I’m in a state of shock,” he said. “Theirs was a very special bond.”

Erica and Lisa Hoy in a photo by their friend Peter Hall. Picture: Peter Hall

The woman accused of causing the crash, Carlie Eileen Richards, faced court in a bedside hearing at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on Wednesday afternoon after she was deemed too mentally unwell to physically face court.

She was charged with causing death by dangerous driving, three charges of causing harm by dangerous driving, leaving the scene of the accident and two counts of driving without due care.

She was also charged with failing to answer questions about who was driving, refusing to give her name and address and hindering police.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or who has dashcam footage is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as ‘Perfect daughter’: Dad’s grief for talented twin Erica Hoy after she was killed in horror crash