Three people killed in horror car crash near Goulburn identified

The father of a young woman — who was killed alongside her two friends in a horrific crash near Goulburn — has spoken of the “absolute tragedy”.

A couples weekend away has ended in tragedy with three people dead and the young man who was allegedly driving them home now in hospital under police guard.

Lachlan Stuckey, 21, was allegedly driving his girlfriend Charlie Quinn, 18, and their friends Brooke Sorlie, 20, and Aaron French, 20, home to Nowra on Sunday afternoon after a trip to Canberra.

But according to police, as they reached the intersection of Bungendore and Collector roads at Tarago, Stuckey lost control of the Hyundai i35 and it ran off the road — killing all three passengers.

Mr Stuckey is now recovering in Canberra Hospital in the sad knowledge he will never see his girlfriend Ms Quinn, and Ms Sorlie and Mr French, again.

Charlie Quinn and her boyfriend Lachlan Stuckey. Charlie was killed in the crash while Lachlan is under police guard in hospital.

Brooke Sorlie also died in the crash.

Ms Quinn’s father Scott described his daughter as “the light of our lives” and told The Daily Telegraph the crash had shattered the community of Nowra, where the group were all from.

“We are heartbroken and sending our love to all the families involved in this absolute tragedy,” he said.

“Charlie was the light of our lives.”

Ms Sorlie’s friends described her as “always having a smile on her face” and told how she was a keen horse rider, who had recently got a new horse called “Falcon”.

“Brook was a kind natured, caring and genuine soul,” they said.

“She always had a positive outlook on any given situation. She always had a smile on her face. She had a very bright future ahead of her and she’ll be greatly miss by many.”

Mr Stuckey suffered fractures to his spine in the crash, and underwent surgery at Canberra Hospital on Monday.

He remains under guard, as NSW Police investigate the cause of the crash.

There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing on his behalf and no charges have been laid.

Lachlan Starkey, pictured with his girlfriend Charlie Quinn, suffered fractures to his spine in the crash.

Charlie Quinn, 18, and her two friends died in the crash.

All three passengers in the car were killed. Picture: OnScene ACT

The impact of the crash saw the small hatchback come to rest on its roof, however Stuckey was able to pull himself from the wreckage unassisted.

Locals in the Shoalhaven have been hit hard by the tragedy, with news of the deaths of three young people from the region spreading over the weekend.

“My heart just breaks for their family and friends, condolences to the family,” one woman wrote.

“No words to describe the heartbreak of this... such a Tragic, sad thing to happen. Deepest condolences to everyone involved,” another local said.

First responders including police and ambulance rushed to the scene, however all three passengers in the car died at the scene.

“Specialist crash officers attached to the Southern Region Crash Investigation Unit remain at the scene conducting inquiries,” NSW Police said in a statement.

“Police will prepare a report for the Coroner.”