Jasmina Blazevska’s family shares grief after Wilton motorbike crash

The eldest daughter and partner of a woman who was killed when she was thrown from a motorbike wept in court when they described how she was taken ‘too soon’ from their lives.

Jasmina Blazevska was remembered as a remarkable woman.

The eldest daughter and partner of Jasmina Blazevska, who was killed when she was thrown from a Harley Davidson at Wilton, have told a court the toll her death has had on their lives.

Jack Daniel Teece was found guilty of negligent driving after he pulled out in front of the bike from Picton Rd into Wilton Park Rd on February 28, 2021, causing the 47-year-old single mum-of-two and her partner to be thrown from the bike.

Mario Conti, 56, was driving the bike and Ms Blazevska was the pillion passenger when it collided with 19-year-old Teece’s Ford Falcon XR6.

Both suffered multiple serious injuries and were taken to hospital in a serious condition but, after being in a coma, Ms Blazevska died on March 6, leaving behind two devastated daughters aged 20 and 17.

During her victim impact statement, Ms Blazevska’s eldest daughter Marija, now 22, told the court how she watched her mother die.

“She died within 45 minutes of them taking the life support off,’’ she said.

“We could see her breathing slowly, her gasping for air. I thought I was in a bad dream, I wish I was.

“ … Watching your mother slowly die is nothing someone wants to experience.’’

Ms Blazevska was three weeks shy of her 21st birthday when tragedy struck and she was left without a mother with whom she was always close.

The court heard how Jasmina was a stay-at-home mum and when she became a single parent, she and her sister grew even closer to her.

“I had never even been to a funeral and yet I was forced to bury my mother,’’ she said.

“I lost my best friend forever.

“I suffered so severely from her (death) and I will never recover. I was a kind and happy person before the loss of my mother.’’

The victim impact statements were read at Parramatta District Court.

The court heard how she now suffers PTSD, panic attacks and struggles to sleep or eat. She seeks help from a psychologist because “I can’t fathom my life” without her mother.

“I can’t have normal friendships and relationships,’’ she said.

“A piece of me died that day. I need my mother and she was taken from me too soon.’’

During his statement Mr Conti, who was using a walking stick after suffering severe injuries including a fractured hip and fractured pelvis, told the court he was a “broken man” following losing the “love of my life”.

“What should have been a beautiful bike ride home with my girl, who I adored, turned into the worst day of my life,’’ he said.

“The pain I feel every day is unbelievable. A part of me died that day and I mourn for the life we could have had.

“I am heartbroken and will never be able to express the pain I am suffering.’’

Mr Conti outlined how he once owned a successful plumbing business but now struggled to get out of bed every day and had to sell his family home.

“I often wonder ‘how did I survive the nightmare’,’’ he said.

“I stayed up at night asking myself ‘why her? She was a remarkable woman and had a successful life. She was a wonderful mother, daughter, partner and friend. She didn’t deserve this, we didn’t deserve this.’’

Teece appeared with his lawyer Robert Steward via video link on Friday when sentencing submissions were made.

The court heard how he had no criminal record but a traffic record with two entries that saw his licence revoked. He had just concluded a one-month suspension of his licence when the collision occurred.

Teece fought the charges but was found guilty of negligent driving (occasions grievous bodily harm), not comply P2 licence condition and not display P plates and negligent driving (occasioning death).

The Crown told the court Teece’s degree of negligence was high after he drove into oncoming traffic and he could see the motorbike.

The court heard that Teece scanned the road when he approached the Picton Rd and Wilton Park Rd intersection but it was questioned how thoroughly he surveyed the traffic.

Judge Tanya Smith said she had to assess the degree of negligence.

The matter was adjourned for sentencing at Campbelltown District Court on February 3. Teece’s bail was continued.