Tyrell Edwards, a 19-year-old probationary driver, was arrested and sentenced for killing five teenagers in a car accident that occurred in 2022. The accident claimed the lives of Antonio DeSisto, Gabby McLennan, Tyrese Bechard, Lily Van de Putte, and Summer Williams. All of the victims were under the age of 16. The accident occurred when Edwards was driving a Nissan Navara at high speed, which crashed into two trees. After climbing out of the wreckage, Edwards was heard saying, “I’m gonna go to jail.”
The accident was a tragedy that shook the local community and the country. The families of the victims were left devastated by the loss of their loved ones. The accident also raised questions about the safety of young drivers on the roads. The case was heard in Picton Local Court, where Edwards was charged with five counts of dangerous driving occasioning death. The charges were later upgraded, and he faced Campbelltown District Court on his 20th birthday, where Judge Christopher O’Brien sentenced him to 12 years in jail for five counts of aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death.
Incident Overview
Circumstances of the Accident
On September 2, 2022, a tragic car accident occurred in Buxton, New South Wales, that claimed the lives of five teenagers. The driver, Tyrell Edwards, was behind the wheel of a Nissan Navara when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into two trees. The car was carrying three girls and two boys, all aged between 14 and 16, who tragically died at the scene.
According to reports, the car was traveling at high speed when it crashed. The impact was so severe that the rear cabin was torn open, and the rear seat was ejected from the vehicle. The accident shocked the community and prompted an investigation into the circumstances that led to the crash.
Victims Identified
The five teenagers who lost their lives in the accident were identified as Antonio DeSisto, Gabby McLennan, Tyrese Bechard, Lily Van de Putte, and Summer Williams. The victims were all students at local high schools, and their deaths were a devastating blow to their families and friends.
Driver Arrested
Following the accident, Tyrell Edwards was arrested and charged with five counts of dangerous driving occasioning death. He pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 12 years in jail, with a non-parole period of seven years.
The case sent shockwaves through the community and served as a stark reminder of the dangers of reckless driving. The families of the victims continue to mourn their loss, while the driver faces the consequences of his actions.
Legal Proceedings
Charges and Sentencing
Tyrell Edwards, a 19-year-old P-plater, was arrested and charged with five counts of dangerous driving occasioning death after a car crash in Buxton in September 2022. Three girls and two boys, aged between 14 and 16, lost their lives in the incident. According to ABC News, Mr. Edwards pleaded guilty to all charges in Picton Local Court on Thursday morning. He faced a maximum of 14 years in prison for each of the charges.
In November 2023, Tyrell Edwards was sentenced to 12 years in jail, with a non-parole period of seven years. As reported by The New Daily, the sentencing judge remarked that Mr. Edwards had shown “a complete disregard for the safety of others” and had made a series of “stupid decisions” that led to the tragic loss of life.
Impact Statements
During the sentencing hearing, the families of the victims expressed their pain and grief at the loss of their loved ones. According to ABC News, one mother who lost her only child in the crash told the court of her anger towards Tyrell Edwards. She said that her child had been “a beautiful, kind-hearted, and loving person” who had been taken away by Mr. Edwards’ actions. Other family members spoke of the devastating impact of the crash on their lives and the community as a whole.
Legal Representation
Tyrell Edwards was represented in court by a team of experienced criminal defense lawyers. As reported by ABC News, his legal team successfully applied to have his charges upgraded from dangerous driving causing death to dangerous driving occasioning death. This meant that the prosecution had to prove that Mr. Edwards’ actions had directly caused the deaths of the victims, rather than merely contributing to the crash.
