Jai Wright: Community mourns and remembers as father speaks out

The grieving dad of Jai Wright, who died after his motorbike collided with an unmarked police car in Sydney last month, says his son was a “normal boy who was doing some really stupid stuff”.

The grieving father of an Indigenous teenager who died in hospital after his motorbike collided with an unmarked police car in Sydney last month has remembered his son as a “normal boy who was doing some really stupid stuff”.

Jai Wright, 16, died in Royal Prince Alfred Hospital two days after the crash at the intersection of Henderson and Mitchell Roads in Alexandria on February 19. A critical incident investigation launched by police after the crash is ongoing.

There has been much speculation about the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death, but Jai’s heartbroken dad, Lachlan Wright, said his son came from a good family who loved him deeply.

Jai Wright with his stepmother Kristie and father Lachlan. Picture: Supplied

“We’re a normal family, Jai was a normal boy who was doing some really stupid stuff,” Mr Wright said.

“People see the headlines and make up their own judgments but he was a normal young kid from a loving family.

“And that’s what makes it heartbreaking – that this tragedy could happen to any family and their child.”

Speaking a memorial for his son in Eveleigh on Friday night, Mr Wright said his family were struggling to come to terms with his son’s death, especially Jai’s four-year-old brother who idolised his older sibling.

“There’s no real way to explain it,” he said.

“It’s like a roller coaster, but you never know when you’re gonna go up or down.

“Some days I’ll laugh about something, and then you feel angry at yourself for being happy. And then most times you’re just sad.”

He said his four-year-old son has been crying every night and asking those who visited Jai in hospital before he died how he was.

Jai Wright alongside his mother Kylie and two of this brothers. Picture: Supplied

Jai Wright with his young sister, Josie, and brother, Turaku. The latter idolised Jai. Picture: Supplied

Many at the memorial, where about 60 people gathered to farewell the Revesby teen, spoke of Jai’s gregarious nature, his cheekiness and his love for his community.

One said he was the only 16-year-old who would always greet her with a big hug, while another said while often in trouble at school for minor offences, he’d always have the teachers laughing at the end of any reprimand.

Mr Wright remembered the young boy who could be a bit of a “goose”.

“He was definitely an individual,” Mr Wright remembered.

“He always brought the family together and made you laugh. He was a goose, and he didn’t mind being a goose.

“That was the crazy thing about Jai, he just knew what to do to make you feel better.”

While Mr Wright couldn’t speak on the exact nature of the incident while the investigation was ongoing, he said the support hadn’t been good enough from police.

Jai Wright reading a story to his four-year-old brother. Picture: Supplied

A keen sportsman, Jai loved rugby league and soccer. Picture: Supplied

“Rural communities and Aboriginal communities have been very untrustworthy of the police for a long time, even before this,” he said.

“I’m not saying that I want a hug from them but we’re really angry and upset that this perfectly preventable situation has led us to the position where you’ve got all of us in tears and unable to lead our normal lives ever again.”

Mr Wright said it was an unbearable time for him and Jai’s mum Kylie and step-parents Kristie and Taani.

“Even when they’re coming back late from parties, not listening to you, doing stupid stuff – you still love them no matter what,” Mr Wright said.

“At the end of the day that child is yours, Jai was mine, and now we don’t have him in our lives – forever.”

A GoFundMe has been set up to help cover the cost of Jai’s funeral.