'We’re going to spin out': Police claim driver Tyrell Edwards filmed violent swerving minutes before Buxton crash
BUXTON, SYDNEY: A teenager, who was driving a Nissan Ute when it smashed into a tree and killed 5 teenagers, was refused bail by the court. Police have reportedly recovered a Snapchat video from his device in which he filmed himself swerving over the road just a few minutes prior to the terrible car crash.
Tyrell Edwards, who was the solo survivor of the car crash southwest of Sydney on Tuesday, September 6 that claimed the lives of five high school teenagers, was refused bail on Thursday, September 8, at Picton Local Court, after police arrested him and charged him with five counts of dangerous driving causing death. After the car crash, police allege a witness present at the crash site heard Edwards saying "I f****d up, I'm going to jail."
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The terrible car crash unfolded when a Nissan Navara Ute, in which the teens were traveling with the 18-year-old driver, veered off the road and hit a tree near the Wollondilly Shire village of Buxton at about 8 pm. The officials have identified the victims of the car crash as Antonio Desisto, Tyrese Bechard, Summer Williams, Lily Van De Putte, and Gabriella McLennan—all aged between 14 and 16. The victims were students of Picton High School.
During his bail application, the court heard that the officials have obtained a footage of frightened teen inside the car hours before the tragic car crash. In the video, the officials allege Edwards was seen filming himself aggressively turning the wheel and swerving at 90km/hour that evening. In the interrogation, Edwards allegedly told investigators that after swerving his steering wheel started shaking and he lost control over the vehicle. A close friend of the driver revealed that he was driving his mother’s car that night.
Court documents also claim that during the video, one of the teens sitting in the car can be heard crying out "we're going to spin out, cuz." The court also got to know that Edwards had prior speeding offenses which led to his license being suspended on two separate occasions.
Magistrate Mark Douglass said the decision of denying Edwards’ bail was not easy for the court but looking at the condition of the community and Edwards’ prior offense, the court is forced to take the decision. "Given the egregious breach of trust, given the blatant breach of road rules that police allege occurred, this court has no confidence that this particular person would comply, given the history I've explained, with any bail conditions the court set at this particular point in time," Mr Douglass said.
Edwards, who works as a laborer, will next appear in court on November 16. Looking at his anxiety history, he will receive mental health support while in custody. The Father of 15-year-old Lily De Putte, who died in the car crash told the media "We don't hold any grudges against the driver because he is going to go through hell."
The horror car crash has left the community heartbroken. Acting Inspector Jason Hogan told the media that the officials are consoling the teens’ families who are obviously devastated. Deputy Secretary for the NSW Department of Education, Murat Dizdar, described the situation as “extremely distressing and disturbing,” revealing the victims of the crash had been at Picton High School since Year 7.
Mourning the death of the teens, the Picton High School released a statement on Wednesday saying, "Our hearts go out to the family and friends of students involved in yesterday's tragic accident. At Picton High, we are prioritizing support for our students as they come to terms with this terrible news. Extra counseling support and alternative arrangements will be in place to help our students through this."