Daughter of Norlane crash victim Maxwell Awty speaks of ‘anxious wait’ over father’s death

The daughter of a man killed in a senseless Geelong crime during the Covid pandemic has described having to console her distraught mother through a nursing home window.

Maxwell Awty was killed in a car crash in Norlane in October 2020.

The daughter of a man killed in a senseless Geelong crime during the Covid pandemic has described having to console her distraught mother through a nursing home window, as her family continues “an anxious wait” for justice.

Maxwell Awty, 78, died after his car was smashed into by a vehicle travelling at close to 140km/h about three years ago on Melbourne Rd.

Damian Wangman, 36, and Tyson Russell, 37, were “street racing” along the Norlane section of the busy road on October 14, 2020 when tragedy struck.

The men, from Lovely Banks and Lara respectively, have pleaded guilty to culpable driving causing death and are due to be sentenced in the Geelong Magistrates Court next month.

Maxwell Awty, 78, was the primary carer of his disabled wife, Lynette, when he was killed. Photo: Supplied.

Mr Awty’s daughter, Teressa Nero, said her family “just want closure” after what she described as a hellish three-year ordeal.

“An innocent man just went out to get some takeaway and didn’t return, ever,” she said.

“My mum didn’t get to see my dad again. She had to go into a nursing home the very next day.”

Ms Nero, 56, said her father was the primary carer of her mum, Lynette, who has “never been the same since.”

She described having to “stand at the window” and try and support her due to the brutal restrictions imposed on nursing home visitation during the pandemic.

“We couldn’t even console our mum,” she said.

“It was just a horrible time for not only us, but so many others experiencing that whole lockdown situation.

“Her demeanour has changed.”

Ms Nero said the circumstances that lead to Mr Awty leaving home “on the spur of the moment” to get McDonald’s was “very raw.”

Maxwell Awty was killed in a car wreck in Norlane. His daughter, Teressa Nero, says life has never been the same since. Photo: Supplied.

Geelong had been in the middle of lockdown before restrictions eased around the time of the accident.

“Mum sat there at home from around 5.15pm until the police came around, which was around 8pm,” she said.

“She did not ring anybody or say anything to anyone because of the (previous) lockdown.

“And then she never saw him again.”

Wangman and Russel are alleged to have been racing each other on Melbourne Rd in separate cars.

A Geelong court heard Mr Awty entered Melbourne Rd from Surrey St about 5.21pm, and almost immediately, Wangman’s car crashed into his.

He died in hospital seven days later.

“He didn’t have a chance,” his daughter said.

“It all seems so senseless.”

Culpable driving causing death carries a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment.

Originally published as Daughter of Norlane crash victim Maxwell Awty speaks of ‘anxious wait’ over father’s death