Buxton crash driver Tyrell Edwards pleads guilty to dangerous driving that killed his five friends after horror crash
Buxton crash driver Tyrell Edwards pleads guilty to dangerous driving that killed his five friends after horror crash
- Teen driver pleads guilty to dangerous driving
- Five people were killed in a crash in Buxton, southwest Sydney
- Tyrell Edwards drove the Nissan Navara ute
The teenage driver who was behind the wheel of a ute that crashed and killed five teenagers in southwest Sydney has pleaded guilty to five counts of aggravated dangerous driving resulting in death.
Tyrell Edwards, 19, was driving a silver Nissan Navara ute at high speed when the vehicle lost control and plowed into two trees on September 6 last year, killing five Picton High School students between the ages of 14 and 16. came to life.
Three girls and two boys aged between 14 and 16 died when the driver of the P-plate lost control of the car and crashed on East Parade in Buxton, near Picton.
Edwards escaped the blow with non-life-threatening injuries.
The 19-year-old appeared before Picton Local Court on Thursday, where he pleaded guilty to a series of charges over the crash that rocked the local community.
His family and friends held up umbrellas in an attempt to hide the teen’s face.
Friends and family of the five victims crowded into the courtroom to witness the moment when Edwards said to the judge, “Your Honor.”
Tyrell Edwards, 19, was driving a silver Nissan Navara car at high speed when it plowed into two trees on September 6 last year, killing five Picton High School students
Edwards is said to have lost control of the Nissan Navara ute (pictured) and drove into a tree
All six teenage victims – Summer Williams, Antonio Desisto, Gabriella McLennan, Lily Van de Putte and Tyrese Bechard – were pronounced dead at the scene
Edwards was charged with five counts of dangerous driving resulting in death at more than 28 mph over the limit.
A video recorded an hour before the crash allegedly showed Edwards dangerous as he reached speeds of 105 km/h on a 60 km/h road.
The footage obtained by police reportedly shows Edwards swerving aggressively while holding his phone in one hand.
All six teenage victims – Summer Williams, Antonio Desisto, Gabriella McLennan, Lily Van de Putte and Tyrese Bechard – were pronounced dead at the scene.
According to police, Edwards told witnesses, “I screwed up, I’m going to jail.”
Following his arrest, the 19-year-old was ordered to meet strict bail conditions, which included daily visits to a police station located 28 miles away from his home.
Edwards was only allowed out if accompanied by his parents and was only allowed to leave his house to go to the police station, court or a doctor’s appointment.
He was forbidden to get behind the wheel of a motorized vehicle.
Buxton residents leave flowers at the scene of the crash that killed five students
In May, his bail conditions were relaxed to help the teen driver’s parents who were caring for six other children and his mother, Renee Edwards, had recently taken a part-time job as a caretaker.
Magistrate David Degnan noted that Edwards had met strict requirements, including being “virtually under house arrest” since he was released on bail by the NSW High Court last October.
“After this long period, I am convinced that it is reasonable to reduce the obligation to report daily to three days a week,” he told the Picton Local Court.
Other bail conditions that prevent the teen from operating a motor vehicle, drinking alcohol, using illegal drugs or coming within 500 meters of a port or airport in the country remain in effect.
His father Henry Edwards has also posted a $100,000 bond to be forfeited if his son fails to appear in court.
The teen has no criminal record, but has two speeding tickets and had his provisional driver’s license suspended in 2022 for the accident.