Widower’s tribute to wife, son killed in Ballarat road tragedy
A devastated widower’s family was torn apart after losing his wife and son in a horrific truck crash. He’s penned a heart-wrenching tribute, telling the five-year-old to “take care of mummy”, and asking his wife to watch over them.
VIC News
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A grieving widower has spoken of his heartbreak after losing the “love of his life” and five-year-old son in a horrific truck crash that left him injured and his other son fighting for life days after Christmas.
Primary school teacher Jess West, 37, and her son Deighton died when a truck allegedly failed to give way and ploughed into the family’s Toyota RAV4 in Kingston, about 28km northeast of Ballarat, on December 29.
Nine-year-old brother, Oakley, suffered critical injuries and is still recovering at the Royal Children’s Hospital.
Dad Anthony West, 37, said there “aren’t enough words” to described how much he will miss his wife and son.
In a tribute to his wife, he wrote: “Jess was and always will be the love of my life.”
“You would walk into a room and instantly make the vibe of the room better like no other.
“Watch over Oakley and myself and take care of our little D-man in heaven.”
Weeks before the crash, Deighton graduated from kinder and was looking forward to 2020 when he would start at Strathfieldsaye Primary School.
It was a huge milestone and meant he was finally joining his big brother at school and his mum, who had taught there for the past decade.
Mr West said his son’s “infectious and cheeky grin” would never leave him.
“Your thirst for life and desire to be the best at whatever you did was nothing short of inspiring,” he wrote.
“I love you little man. Take care of mummy and never stop trying to win.”
The double fatality sent shockwaves through the family’s hometown in Epsom, in Bendigo.
Loved ones have remembered Ms West as an “exceptional, generous and caring woman with a bubbly personality”.
She graduated from Ballarat Grammar in 2000 before getting her teaching degree at Latrobe University.
She was heavily involved in local community and sporting groups.
Deighton was a “very caring little boy” who showed great sporting potential.
Mr West was driving his family south on Kingston Rd when a Kenworth primer drove through an intersection and rammed their car off the road, causing it to roll about 2.20pm on December 29.
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The truck driver, Michael Knowler, 59, from Western Australia, is facing a raft of charges including two counts of dangerous driving causing death.
It is his first time in custody.
Mr Knowler will next appear at the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on April 30, 2020.