Tyrell Edwards told of sentencing discount for early guilty plea in fatal Buxton crash case

An 18-year-old who drove a car in which five teens died is yet to enter a plea to five charges of aggravated dangerous driving — but a magistrate has told him of a sentencing discount if he pleads guilty.

Tyrell Edwards last November during his first in-person court appearance. He is yet to enter pleas to five charges of aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death. Picture: John Grainger

The P-plate driver and sole survivor of a horror multi-fatal crash at Buxton will face a significant discount on his sentence if he pleads guilty to his charges at his next hearing date, a court has heard.

Tyrell Edwards, 18, is facing five counts of dangerous driving causing death after his five young passengers — Summer Williams, Antonio Desisto, Gabriella McLennan, Lily Van de Putte and Tyrese Bechard — were killed in an alleged high-speed crash just after 8pm on September 6 last year.

Police will allege Edwards was driving his Nissan Navara ute at more than 45km/hr over the signposted 80km/h speed limit when the vehicle spun out of control and smashed into a tree.

Edwards was the sole survivor, with police alleging neighbours who heard the crash and raced to the scene overheard the young man say “I f**ked up, I’m going to jail” moments after he walked away from the scene unscathed.

He was arrested the following day and remanded in custody until being granted strict conditional bail by the NSW Supreme Court in October.

Mourners gathered at the site of the fatal crash to pay their respects to the five young lives lost.

In Picton Local Court on Friday, a representative of the Director of Public Prosecutions confirmed Edwards’ case had been reviewed by a Crown prosecutor who had certified the five charges against him.

Under NSW law, a prosecutor can only certify charges for trial if they are satisfied that the material contained in the police brief of evidence is capable of establishing an accused person’s guilt to each element of the offence.

The scene of the nightmare crash. Picture: John Grainger

Magistrate David Degnan told Edwards his matter would be adjourned for a mandatory case conference to take place between his legal team and prosecutors, where any plea offers could be discussed ahead of the case being committed to the NSW District Court.

“It’s very important you take part in what goes on there (at the case conference),” Magistrate Degnan said.

“If you intend to plead guilty, it’s best that occurs prior to committal. If you do plead guilty (in the Local Court) you’re entitled to a larger discount than when it’s in the District Court.”

The law currently provides for an automatic discount of up to 25 per cent on sentence for an accused person who enters an early plea of guilty.

Lily Van de Putte.

Gabriella McLennan.

Summer Williams.

Tyrese Bechard.

Victim Antonio Desisto with his grandmother.

Edwards is yet to enter any pleas to the charges but it is understood he will be required to indicate a plea when the matter returns to court at the end of June.

Meanwhile, Magistrate Degnan granted a defence application to relax Edwards’ reporting conditions from daily to three times a week after his mother wrote a letter saying the constant travel — an hour round trip from the Edwards family home in Bargo to Narellan Police Station — was becoming too taxing for his parents.

“He doesn’t leave the house unless to report to police or go to psychological appointments, he’s virtually under house arrest,” defence solicitor Karen Watson told the court.

“His mum has a carer’s job at night and (the daily reporting condition) is proving onerous to his parents.”

She confirmed Edwards had complied with his strict bail conditions since they were imposed in October.

Magistrate Degnan cut Edwards’ reporting to Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays, saying he was satisfied the purposes of bail would still be met by the reduced condition.

Family members of the five young people killed were in court for the proceedings but declined to comment to the media.