Roma’s Jake Pearce, Katy Tattam and baby Charlie killed in crash with truck on Warrego Highway outside Toowoomba

The teen daughter of a Roma shearer, who was killed along with his partner and their infant girl in a horror crash outside Toowoomba, has described him as an “amazing dad”.

A Roma shearer killed in a horror highway crash outside Toowoomba, which also claimed the life of his partner and their infant daughter, has been remembered as an “amazing dad” who tried his best.

Jake Pearce’s teenager daughter Tayla has paid tribute to her late father, just a day after he, his partner Katy Tattam and their one-year-old Charlie died in a head-on collision with a truck on the Warrego Highway at Oakey.

Police are continuing investigations into the cause.

Tayla Pearce with her father Jake, who was killed in a crash on the Warrego Highway at Oakey on January 24, 2023.

The 17-year-old said Mr Pearce, who was known as “Muss” by friends, loved his children.

“My dad was the man that would try his best at all times, he was a loving father of five,” she told The Chronicle.

“He was a great dad and we had our ups and downs (but) I will forever have him beside me.

“Dad would always get called ‘Muss’, this nickname has been around ever since he started his shearing career.

“My dad was an amazing dad, brother and nephew — you were taken to soon daddy and I miss you.”

Tayla said half-sister Charlie was a “bubbly” and sweet little girl whom she loved dearly.

“My little sister Charlie was only one turning two in July — Charlie was a sweet little girl,” she said.

“She was the most bubbly and sweetest little girl, she was taken from us too soon.

“Until we meet again my beautiful angels.”

Ms Tattam’s family has been contacted by The Chronicle for a tribute.

Katy Tattam, along with her partner Jake Pearce and their baby Charlie, was killed in a head-on collision with a truck on the Warrego Highway outside Toowoomba on January 24, 2023.

FAMILY KILLED IN HORRIFIC HIGHWAY CRASH

The Roma family who were victims of a horror highway crash outside Toowoomba on Tuesday morning have been identified.

Jake Pearce, Katy Tattam and their one-year-old daughter Charlie were killed when the sedan they were in collided with a truck on the Warrego Highway near Oakey just after 11am.

A 36-year-old Roma man, who was also in the car, was injured but is assisting police with its investigation.

The incident was followed by another crash, after another truck collided with the first one and came off the road.

Fatal crash involving one car and two trucks on the Oakey Bypass, Warrego Highway. Tuesday, January 24, 2023. Picture: Nev Madsen.

The truck driver involved in the initial crash was taken to Toowoomba hospital in a stable condition, while the other driver was not physically injured.

Tributes started flowing hours after the crash, with family and friends paying tribute to the couple and their infant daughter.

“My heart aches in pain for the three that had passed away,” one family member of Mr Pearce’s wrote on social media.

“My heart is shattered and I wish I could be up there with you all, comforting you every step of the way.”

Roma's Katy Tattam, Jake Pearce and their one-year-old Charlie were killed in a head-on collision on the Warrego Highway outside Toowoomba on January 24, 2023.

“Such a genuinely beautiful soul, gone far too soon, rest peacefully Jake,” another wrote.

“I miss you so much I can’t believe you are never coming back,” a relative of Ms Tattam posted.

A GoFundMe has been started by Mr Pearce’s other daughter to pay for funeral expenses.

Originally published as Roma’s Jake Pearce, Katy Tattam and baby Charlie killed in crash with truck on Warrego Highway outside Toowoomba