Andrew McGregor speaks about son Jarred’s life after fatal Sutherland crash

The heartbroken father and grandfather of a 17-year-old boy killed in a car crash following a short pursuit have spoken about their grief days ahead of the driver’s sentence.

Andy McGregor and his son Andrew McGregor miss their grandson and son, Jarred, who was killed when his mate Joshua Wright crashed his car on Rawson Ave, Sutherland last year. Picture: Julian Andrews

The family of a teenager killed in a horrific car crash has spoken out for the first time about the difficult court process days ahead of the driver being sentenced.

Andrew McGregor lost his son, 17-year-old Jarred, who was a passenger when Joshua Marcus Wright, 22, crashed his car into a power pole on Rawson Ave, Sutherland, on April 18 last year following a short police pursuit.

Wright pleaded guilty to aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death and aggravated dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm; and will be sentenced on December 15.

Mr McGregor described his middle son as “athletic, ongoing, action-packed” who had his life ahead of him and loved his carpentry apprenticeship.

“He loved motorbike riding. We would go away on holidays and he would love surfing and swimming,” he said.

Jarred McGregor had many friends and loved footy and the beach.

“Every spare minute he was on his motorbike no matter how tired he was when he got home.”

Jarred’s grandfather Andy McGregor said his grandson had lots of friends with about 800 people attending his funeral.

“Jarred was loud, and he would come into a room and light it up with his personality,” he said. “He also had two good sessions playing footy.”

Jarred loved riding motorbikes. Picture: Julian Andrews

Mr McGregor said the past 18 months had been hard, particularly for Jarred’s siblings Chloe and Ryan, but he had been supported by the Helensburgh community and Jarred’s friends.

Since Jarred’s death Mr McGregor and his father have attended each court mention and have educated themselves about the judicial system for similar vehicle-related offences.

“We initially went into these court sessions with a sense of optimism hoping for justice as every other family grieving the loss of a loved one does,” he said.

Joshua Wright will be sentenced next week.

“Yet it appears the punishment imposed isn’t reflective of the crime or the impact of the crime on the victim or the victim’s family; instead the sentencing focuses on the offender’s mitigating circumstances and their prospects of rehabilitation.

“The law must be changed to meet community standards, to act as a deterrent, uphold justice and should reflect the seriousness of vehicular homicide.”

Mr McGregor said he went to court each time with a “heavy heart” for Jarred but he felt like he was just another case, which was difficult when his life had been changed forever.

The court heard officers pursued Wright at speeds of up to 190km/h – after they attempted to stop him for a random breath test – and footage showed he overtook a semi-trailer on the left side in a bicycle lane only moments before the crash.

The crash occurred ion Rawson Ave, Sutherland.

Mr McGregor said he heard Jarred organising for Wright – whom he only knew for a month from Gymea TAFE – to pick him up before the fateful night.

He thought Jarred was talking to his brother. He regrets not getting up to tell him not to go out.

Mr McGregor said every time there was a car crash on the news his ears would prick up and he would know exactly what the family was going through.

“I don’t have a lot of faith in the judicial system,” he said.

Andy McGregor and his son Andrew McGregor are awaiting the sentence for Joshua Wright. Picture: Julian Andrews

“The Buxton case comes to mind, and I feel for those five grieving families who have put faith in the system to give them justice only to be left disappointed with the judgment.

“Vehicle related crimes are not looked at in the same way as other crimes.

“It seems if a knife or gun was used, the penalties would carry heavier sentences.”

Mr McGregor said he hoped he felt a sense of justice for Jarred when the sentence was handed down but was expecting a light punishment.

Andy McGregor said the family still did not know all the details about the crash and would likely have to wait for the coronial inquest to get answers.