Tyrell Edwards,18,was driving an overloaded Nissan Navara at Orange Road and East Parade when it hit a tree,killing Antonio “Tony” Desisto,16,Tyrese Bechard,15,Lily van de Putte,15,Summer Williams,14 and another 14-year-old girl.
Antonio “Tony” Desisto and his father Exaven Desisto.Supplied
The other child victim cannot be identified for legal reasons.
“My son is my best friend;we did everything together,” Exaven Desisto,the father of one of the passengers,told reporters outside Picton Local Court on Thursday where Edwards on five counts of dangerous driving occasioning death.
“I brought him up,he was just the most happy and humble. We’d go to church and pray,he used to pray before every meal he put in his mouth. He was a blessed man.”
Edwards’ provisional licence had been suspended twice in an 18-month period before the collision,the court heard.
Tyrell Edwards,left,and his family and supporters at Picton Local Court on Thursday.Supplied/Kate Geraghty
“I knew the boy and I know he’s got a good family,he’s got a good heart,” Desisto,who sobbed during the court hearing,said of Edwards.
Edwards’ parents and a large number of family members and some friends were at court for the bail application.
“At least they are going to see their son behind bars,I have to go and see my son in a morgue. I have to go see whatever’s left of him,” Desisto said.
“We’ve all done wrong things but if this goes on people need to be held accountable for their actions.”
Driver and sole survivor Tyrell Edwards (left) with Antonio “Tony” Desisto,who was among five killed in the crash.Supplied
Asked if he had a message for young men who get behind the wheel,he said:“Just think when you hop in the car how precious life[is].”
John van de Putte,whose 15-year-old daughter Lily died in the accident alongside her four friends,said on Wednesday that he and his family don’t hate Edwards.
“She was a very caring and empathetic person. She was cheeky,but she knew the difference between right and wrong,” her father John toldA Current Affair on Thursday.
His daughter had texted asking if she could go out that night,but Mr van de Putte was in hospital and didn’t see it until after the crash.
“The answer would have been no,it was a school night,but I never got the text,” he told the Daily Telegraph.
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