NRL star Bronson Xerri’s brother Troy to learn fate over crash that killed 63yo woman

The brother of an NRL star is facing up to a decade in prison and will next year learn his fate after causing a fatal crash in Sydney.

The brother of banned NRL star Bronson Xerri has been found not guilty of driving more than 45km/h above the speed limit when he caused a horror crash that killed a 63-year-old woman; however, is still facing up to a decade in prison.

Troy Xerri, 30, will in April next year learn his fate as he stares down the barrel of up to 10 years in jail.

He faced a NSW District Court trial in November over the accident that claimed the life of Jo’Anne Duke in northwestern Sydney in November 2019.

Xerri admitted he lost control of his Toyota HiLux that launched over a median strip, crossed onto the wrong side of Blaxland Rd at Eastwood and collided with two other vehicles.

His car smashed head on with Ms Duke’s Mazda hatchback, killing the 63-year-old as well as injuring another woman who was travelling alone in another car.

Edwina Roberts was taken to hospital after Xerri’s ute also smashed into her hatchback.

Michael Nader, the front seat passenger in Xerri’s ute, also spent a week in hospital with head injuries, including a fractured nose, and back pain.

Bronson Xerri leaves court alongside his brother Troy earlier this year. Picture: Monique Harmer.

The force of the impact was so great that the tray of Xerri’s ute detached and came to a stop on the road.

Xerri in November pleaded not guilty to the more serious charges of aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death and aggravated dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.

Those charges carried the allegation that his car was travelling 45km/h above the speed limit at the time of impact – which he denied.

He did, however, plead guilty to the alternate, less serious charge of dangerous driving occasioning death and dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm related to Ms Duke’s death and Mr Nader’s injuries.

Jo’Anne Duke was killed when Troy Xerri’s speeding vehicle crossed onto the wrong side of the road and struck her car. Picture: 7 News.

The trial centred on expert evidence from both parties, with the crown contending that Xerri was travelling at up to 120km/h in a 60km/h zone.

It was accepted that Xerri was speeding at the time of the accident, but his defence contended that he might have only been going 20km/h over the limit, noting his speedometer read 80km/h after it came to rest.

Xerri, appearing via video link from Long Bay Correctional Centre, did not react on Thursday as Judge Leonie Flannery ruled that the crown had not proven their case beyond a reasonable doubt after she failed to accept the evidence of the police crash investigator.

She described the police witness as “somewhat unsatisfactory”, noting he had changed his evidence days before the start of the trial.

Judge Flannery also said the police witness had criticised the defence expert witness before accepting he was wrong.

“I am not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that at the relevant time the accused was driving a vehicle on the road at a speed that exceeded by more than 45km/h the speed limit applicable to that length of road,” Judge Flannery said.

Troy Xerri will next year learn his fate after he caused a fatal crash. Picture: Instagram

Xerri has also pleaded guilty to one count of furious driving occasioning bodily harm relating to Ms Roberts’ injuries.

He will face a sentence hearing in April when it is expected that victim impact statements, including from Ms Duke’s family, will be read to the court.

The charge of dangerous driving occasioning death carries a maximum possible sentence of 10 years in prison.