Parents of toddler Tateolena Tauaifaga speak of their ‘happy little terrier’s’ zest for life

The parents of Tateolena Tauaifaga have opened up about the tragic loss of their baby girl, who was killed when a car crashed into their western Sydney home.

Christopher Chandler, 22, was driving a stolen car that ploughed through the fence of a home at Constitution Hill on Thursday evening.Tateolena Tauaifaga ( pictured ), aged 17 months, was struck as she played in her backyard, and later died.

THEY are precious moments of a life taken too soon — a toddler dancing the way only joyful babies can, with wild movements, giggles and spins.

Before she was killed, Tateolena Tauaifaga, the little girl who loved to dance, was filmed by her family doing just that.

The video is a beautiful, heartbreaking reminder of her exuberance for parents Topaz Hunia and Helen Tauaifaga.

Carrying her daughter’s tiny silver coffin, Helena Tauaifaga leads mourners at the funeral for Tateolena on Saturday. Picture: Bradley Hunter

Speaking just days after laying Tateolena to rest at Kingswood Cemetery, her parents remembered her as their “happy little terrier”.

“She was so full of life,” Mr Hunia said.

“She loved to dance to anything but really liked Skrillex.”

She was in the right place. They were in the wrong place

- Topaz Hunia

The 17-month-old girl was killed when a car crashed through the family property during a police pursuit, narrowly missing her brothers and sisters, on January 7.

“There were no sirens. We just heard a loud bang,” Mr Hunia said.

“People say it was the wrong place at the wrong time but that is for them, not for our baby.

“She was in the right place. They were in the wrong place.”

The footage of her trying to break-dance like her brothers, and her ecstatic response when one of them joins in the dance, reveals the close family bonds that have now been severed.

Topaz Hunia (glasses) is comforted at the funeral of his daughter. Picture: Bradley Hunter

Her mother said Tateolena’s siblings were struggling to cope with the loss of their sister.

“Loud noises startle them, they are scared about going to the toilet by themselves and they are not the same kids,” Ms Tauaifaga said.

“We’ve had a lot of support from their cousins to keep them occupied and busy.”

Tateolena Tauaifaga was described as a “happy little terrier”.

Children lay flowers outside Tateolena’s home after she was killed.

A tribute now stands in the family’s backyard where Tateolena spent her last moments after being struck by the car.

Teddy bears, cards and flowers are fenced off under a canopy to let people grieve and remember the happy little child.

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“We just want to thank everyone from the cousins to the support groups that came through for us,” Mr Hunia said.

“We don’t have everyone’s full details but they know who they are,” Mr Hunia said.

The alleged driver of the car, Christopher Chandler, has been charged with offences including causing death by dangerous driving and engaging in a police pursuit. Investigations are continuing.

Tateolena was playing in her backyard when a car ploughed through her fence.