Jabez “Amo” Tietie dies in Wilbriggie crash
A young man who tragically died days after his 21st birthday in a crash in the NSW Riverina has been remembered as a kind soul, churchgoer and devoted rugby league player.
The Wagga News
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A man who tragically died in a car and truck crash in the Riverina just days after his 21st birthday has been remembered for his warmth and quiet joy.
Jabez “Amo” Tietie, 21, tragically lost his life in a fatal collision with a truck in Wilbriggie, near Griffith, on April 4.
“About 6.15am, a sedan was travelling north along the Kidman Way, Wilbriggie – about 26km south of Griffith – when it collided with a truck carrying two trailers travelling south, about 100 metres south of the intersection of Marston Rd,” NSW Police said in a statement.
“The car caught alight; however Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters extinguished the fire a short time later.
“The driver of the car died at the scene.”
The 59-year old male driver of the truck was taken to Griffith Base Hospital with minor injuries for mandatory testing, with Murrumbidgee Police District officers commencing an investigation.
A GoFundMe arranged by friend Lorenco Tafili to support Mr Tietie’s loved ones described him as “a quiet and kind young man”.
“His family are members of our church where he and his partner Elie would attend from time to time, he was always so happy, so soft-spoken and such a joy to talk to,” Mr Tafili said.
“In the church band he was the bass player.”
It is the latest tragedy for the Tietie family after Mr Tietie’s father also died in recent years.
Mr Tafili remembered Mr Tietie as “a humble kid, he had a very good heart ... to everyone he was quiet but to his family he was outgoing”.
Mr Tietie played rugby for the Darlington Point Coleambally Roosters rugby league club, with a tribute made on social media.
“Bez was a valuable member of our club and we are absolutely devastated to hear of his sudden loss,” the club wrote in a statement on Facebook.
“Bez, you will be sorely missed by all of us.”
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