St Marys: Edgar Haufano charged after crash that killed Sudanese war hero Lual Awa Lueth

An allegedly disqualified driver, accused of fleeing a western Sydney crash that killed a Sudanese war hero and father-of-eight on his way to work, has been identified.

Sudanese war hero Lual Awan Lueth. Picture: Facebook

An allegedly disqualified driver, accused of fleeing a horror western Sydney crash that killed a Sudanese war hero and father-of-eight, has been identified as Parramatta man Edgar Haufao.

The incident, described by police as “a tragedy beyond belief”, began when officers in St Mary’s spotted a dark grey Holden Insignia, allegedly driven by Haufao, accelerate from Putland St towards the Great Western Hwy about 4am on Tuesday.

Police followed the Holden and lost sight of it before finding it had hit a silver Toyota Corolla driven by Sudanese war hero and father-of-eight Lual Awan Lueth, 49.

Mr Lueth, who was on his way to work, died at the scene, while police say Haufao, who was allegedly disqualified from driving, fled on foot.

Haufao, 43, was arrested on Chapel St in St Marys a short time later before being taken to Nepean Hospital under police guard.

The horror crash at St Marys. Picture: Richard Dobson

About 6pm on Wednesday, Haufao was released from hospital and taken to St Marys Police Station, where he was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death, failing to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing death, negligent driving occasioning death, furious, reckless or dangerous driving, and driving while disqualified.

He faced Mount Druitt Local Court on Thursday, when he did not apply for bail.

The scene of the crash. Picture: Richard Dobson

Haufao was remanded in custody and is expected to next appear in Penrith Local Court on January 10, 2025.

Court documents allege Haufano was speeding before the crash.

Speaking at a press conference after the crash on Tuesday morning, NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Gavin Wood described the incident as “a tragedy beyond belief”.

“You have an innocent 49-year-old male going to work,” Assistant Commissioner Wood said.

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Gavin Wood speaks about the incident on Tuesday. Picture: Richard Dobson

“He doesn’t get to work. He doesn’t go home. His family don’t get to see him.

“So you talk about tragedies ... for that poor man and his family and friends, their life has changed from this incident.”

The president of Ropes Crossing Strikers FC, of which Mr Lueth was a member, has organised a GoFundMe fundraiser for his family.

“Mr Lueth was a hardworking man, and a leader and hero in his community,’’ Adam Hartas said.

“Mr Lueth was part of the Ropes Crossing FC community, with three of his sons playing for Ropes Crossing FC in 2024.

“As a club and community, we want to support the family as much as possible.’’

Before coming to Australia as a refugee, Mr Lueth was a war hero who had fought to defend the land of his people.