Peakhurst crash: Accused killer Tyron Knodler faces court charged with two count of manslaughter
An accused killer was allegedly drunk on a shoplifted bottle of Jim Beam bourbon when he crossed to the wrong side of the road in a stolen 4WD and ploughed into a car in Sydney’s south, tragically killing two women inside.
An accused killer was allegedly drunk on a shoplifted bottle of Jim Beam bourbon when he crossed to the wrong side of the road in a stolen 4WD and ploughed into a car in Sydney’s south, tragically killing two women inside.
Tyron Knodler, 21, faced Sutherland Local Court dressed in a blue hooded forensic jumpsuit charged with two counts of manslaughter after Sydney schoolteacher Gayle Gibson, 62, and her friend Carol Chambers, 66, were killed in the horrific crash as they drove home from dinner together on Tuesday night.
His Legal Aid solicitor Christina Vassiliou did not apply for bail on his behalf and Knodler will remain behind bars until his next appearance via audiovisual link at Sutherland Local Court on May 13.
Mrs Gibson’s husband Tony Giorgio, 58 and their friend Kim Alden, 62, were also injured in the smash on Henry Lawson Dr in Peakhurst.
Police allege Knodler stole a Toyota LandCruiser from a Monterey home early on Monday morning before shoplifting the $35 bottle of bourbon from the Dan Murphy’s bottle shop in Bankstown on Tuesday morning.
Around 8pm that night, police allege the unlicensed drink driver was speeding and actively drinking from the bottle when he crossed to the wrong side of the road, flipped over the median strip and collided with the Honda Jazz being driven by Mrs Chambers.
The Revesby man faces 23 charges in relation to the deaths of Mrs Gibson and Ms Chambers and the injury of Mr Giorgio and Ms Alden, including two counts each of manslaughter, aggravated driving causing death, aggravated dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm, causing bodily harm failing to stop and assist after a crash causing death, and failing to stop and assist after a crash causing injury.
He was also charged with high range drink driving, consuming alcohol while driving, shoplifting the bourbon, stealing the LandCruiser, failing to give particulars after a crash, reckless driving, driving unlicensed, speeding at less than 10km/h over the limit and not keeping left of the median strip.
Knodler was supported in court by eight friends who he waved to before he left the dock.