By Georgina Mitchell
Family members of five teenagers killed in a car crash south-west of Sydney sobbed and scoffed in disbelief on Friday when the speeding driver was jailed for 12 years.
One father left the court saying that the sentence “f---ing stinks”.
Tyrell Edwards is led away by police in August, when he pleaded guilty.Credit: Nick Moir
Tyrell Edwards, 20, was behind the wheel of his mother’s Nissan Navara on the evening of September 6, 2022, when he lost control and crashed into a tree at Buxton while driving about 117.9km/h in a 60km/h zone.
His passengers Tyrese Bechard, 15, Antonio Desisto, 16, Lily Van de Putte, 14, Gabriella McLennan, 15, and 14-year-old Summer Williams were killed when the ute hit a second tree and was ripped in half.
On Friday, NSW District Court Judge Christopher O’Brien said the teenagers’ deaths were “completely avoidable” as he jailed Edwards for a maximum of 12 years with a non-parole period of seven years.
“This is a tragic and impossibly sad case,” O’Brien said.
The five teenagers who died in the Buxton car crash. Clockwise from main: Lily Van de Putte, Summer Williams, Gabby McLennan, Tyrese Bechard and Antonio Desisto.
Family members in the court began to wipe their eyes with tissues shortly after his judgment began. When the sentence was delivered, one woman put her head in her hands and sobbed while a large group of grieving family members scoffed and laughed in shock.
“What is seven years going to bring back? Nothing,” one relative said as she left court.
Gabby’s mother Samantha McLennan said her “heart dropped”. Antonio’s father Exaven Desisto said he was left speechless by the sentence which “f---ing stinks”.
“If he’s eligible for parole in seven years, that’s 18 months per child – is that what a child’s life is worth?” he said. “It’s ruined me. Our family is ruined.”
Loved ones of Gabby McLennan including her mother (left) hold her photo as they walk into court on Friday.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos
Lily’s father John Van de Putte said seven years was a “very low number” for five lives, and called for legislation to be changed to treat a vehicle like a weapon.
The judge said the sudden and unexpected loss of a child was “a completely devastating experience” from which family members would never fully recover. He said the crash had caused “indescribable grief” to the families.
“The loss of these five young people diminishes us all,” O’Brien said. “On behalf of the court, and personally, I extend my deepest sympathy to all those who mourn them.”
In the hour before the crash, Edwards – who was on his green P plates – reached speeds of up to 147km/h and filmed himself swerving the car from side to side while driving about 90km/h as loud music played and one of his passengers told him: “We’re going to spin out cuz!”
Antonio Desisto’s relatives, including his father Exaven Desisto, outside court on Friday.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos
After the crash, Edwards climbed out of the wreckage and said: “I’m gonna go to jail, I can’t go to jail, I don’t want to go to jail.” He said he thought he fell asleep or a kangaroo ran out in front of the car.
Edwards pleaded guilty in August to five counts of aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death, with the aggravating factor being his speed of more than 45km/h over the limit.
O’Brien said Edwards engaged in a sustained period of “erratic and aggressive” driving that involved showing off to the victims, and in that time he abandoned his responsibility as a road user.
A total of 26 victim impact statements submitted to the court demonstrated the “palpable grief, raw emotion and torment” experienced by the victims’ families.
O’Brien said Edwards’ family had also suffered significantly, which was unsurprising due to “the enormity of the carnage for which he is responsible”.
The judge said Edwards experienced myriad complex psychological issues after the crash, including PTSD, major depressive disorder and persistent suicidal ideation, which would make his custodial sentence more onerous.
He said Edwards, whose licence was previously suspended for speeding, was “truly, genuinely and deeply remorseful for his conduct” and was unlikely to reoffend.
In a letter to the court, Edwards said he was “so sorry for the pain and loss I have caused to all the families”.
“I can’t understand how unfair it is that I survived. I wish so much that I could take it all back and have my friends back,” he said. “I know that serving a sentence won’t be good enough for the damage that has been done.”
Edwards watched the sentence via video link from the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre at Silverwater and appeared to become emotional as his apology letter was read out.
He will be eligible for parole in July 2030.
Help is available at Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue.org.au
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