One family’s Christmas tragedy and warning to others for the holidays

A family is warning others to take care on the roads this Christmas after a tragic car accident took away a beloved dad.

Tragedy struck for Sydney family the Reillys just two weeks before Christmas when dad Peter and youngest son Connor were involved in a horror car accident on their way to a routine appointment.

Sadly, Peter, 36, was killed and Connor left badly injured, with the seven-year-old requiring treatment in intensive care.

While Connor is now well enough to spend Christmas at home, for family, including mum Jessica and kids Seth, 17, and McKenzie, 5, the first holidays spent without Peter will be difficult.

Peter Reilly’s family have set up a GoFundMe to help wife Jessica and her kids.

The family is also urging others to take care on the roads this summer.

“We don’t know what happened exactly in (Peter’s) accident and hopefully one day soon we will, but the big thing is follow the advice from the police and don’t put yourself or others at risk,” Peter’s younger brother Nicholas said.

During NSW’s recent lockdown, Peter was unable to work, meaning he shifted to the role of stay-at-home dad, a time that Nicholas says now was especially precious.

“At least they had that time with him and that connection and memories that they might not have otherwise,” Nicholas said.

Once the restrictions ended Peter went out and got two jobs to make up for lost income and ensure his family was supported.

Peter was also a hobbyist and enjoyed games like Warhammer, around which he helped create a community of players, running tournaments and managing online engagement.

“Everybody that was new or just wanting to try it out, it didn’t really matter what walk of life they were from, he would be willing to help them out,” Nicholas said.

“He was a very caring and loving person.”

In the hopes of lightening the load, a GoFundMe has been established to help support Jess and the kids over Christmas and starting the new year.