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Peakhurst crash killed teacher Gayle Gibson and her friend

An alleged drunk driver who has never held a licence has been charged with manslaughter after a stolen four-wheel drive smashed into a car killing two women — one of them a beloved Canterbury schoolteacher whose husband survived the carnage.

Man arrested after double fatal multi-vehicle crash

An alleged drunk driver who has never held a licence has been charged with manslaughter after a stolen four-wheel drive smashed into a car killing two women — one of them a beloved Canterbury schoolteacher whose husband survived the carnage.

Police allege Tyron Knodler, 21, was three times the legal limit in a stolen Toyota LandCruiser when he lost control, flipped over a concrete barrier and hurt­led into a Honda Jazz in the oncoming lanes in Peakhurst on Tuesday night.

Emergency service workers try to free the trapped women critically injured at Peakhurst. Picture: Active Media Images.
Emergency service workers try to free the trapped women critically injured at Peakhurst. Picture: Active Media Images.

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The hatchback was carrying four friends coming home from dinner.

Canterbury Girls High School teacher Gayle Gibson, 62, who was sitting behind the driver, and Gold Coast woman Carol Chambers, 66, bore the brunt of the collisions and were killed.

Two other passengers, Ms Gibson’s husband Tony Giorgio, 58, and a second Gold Coast woman, 62, escaped with minor injuries.

Gayle Gibson pictured with her husband Tony Grigio. Picture: Facebook
Gayle Gibson pictured with her husband Tony Grigio. Picture: Facebook

Dozens of emergency service workers and ­bystanders desperately tried to extract the critically injured women. A Victoria Bitter beer carton was strewn across the road nearby.

Witnesses told Channel 9 Mr Giorgio was heard saying “my wife, my wife” after the Henry Lawson Dr crash.

Tyron Knodler, 21, was three times the legal limit and has been charged with manslaughter. Picture: Facebook
Tyron Knodler, 21, was three times the legal limit and has been charged with manslaughter. Picture: Facebook

Mr Giorgio and the injured woman were taken to St George Hospital before being released on Wednesday.

Police will allege Knodler was drunk and left before he was arrested 30 minutes later.

The Revesby man allegedly blew 0.166 before he was taken to hospital.

Last night he was charged with 11 offences, including two counts of manslaughter, failing to stop and render ­assistance after impact causing death and consuming ­alcohol while driving. He will face court today.

The couple were in the back of the Honda when it was struck by the LandCruiser. Picture: Facebook
The couple were in the back of the Honda when it was struck by the LandCruiser. Picture: Facebook
Ms Gibson was sitting behind the driver Carol Chambers who also died. Picture: Facebook
Ms Gibson was sitting behind the driver Carol Chambers who also died. Picture: Facebook

Police allege Knodler had stolen the four-wheel drive from Monterey on Monday.

A month ago he was sentenced to a six-month community corrections order a for theft.

Canterbury Girls High School principal Sue Holden said “Ms Gibson was a much loved member of staff”.

A VB beer carton at the scene. Picture: Active Media Images
A VB beer carton at the scene. Picture: Active Media Images
The Toyota LandCruiser flipped over a concrete barrier and hurt­led into the Honda Jazz in the oncoming lane on Henry Lawson Dr. Picture: Active Media Images
The Toyota LandCruiser flipped over a concrete barrier and hurt­led into the Honda Jazz in the oncoming lane on Henry Lawson Dr. Picture: Active Media Images

A father of a student at the school, George, said Mrs Gibson was always there for her students.

“A lot of the senior girls turned towards her for comfort and support,” he said.

“The kids reckoned she was the best one out of the school, for the support for the students and with her teaching — she had a good method of how she did things.

“She was a wonderful human being and had time for the kids.”

Tyron Knodler in custody at St George Police Station in Kogarah on Tuesday night. Picture: 7 News
Tyron Knodler in custody at St George Police Station in Kogarah on Tuesday night. Picture: 7 News

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/stgeorge-shire-standard/peakhurst-crash-killed-teacher-gayle-gibson-and-her-friend/news-story/d35d05663917377e317f7a22edbefb56