- Nick Campo’s father says he’s not angry with driver involved in fatal crash
- The 18-year-old tragically lost his life on Saturday evening
- The alleged driver has been charged with multiple counts of dangerous driving
The father of a young footballer who tragically died in a car crash over the weekend says he is not angry with the teenager who was reportedly behind the wheel of the car.
Family and friends of Nick Campo, 18, gathered at the scene of the crash on Farrington Road to pay tribute to the South Fremantle Football Club player after he died on Saturday night.
Campo was in the back of a Toyota Hilux pickup truck when it crashed and overturned on Farrington Road in North Lake at about 11:40 p.m.
The pickup then collided with a black Jeep Patriot SUV traveling in the opposite direction.
Colts teammate Tyler Rowe was also in the vehicle and is now in critical condition. The driver was also taken to the hospital.
The friends were celebrating Campo’s birthday. The boy had turned 18 two days before the fatal incident. The 17-year-old driver of the Hilux appeared in Perth Children’s Court from his hospital bed on Monday, charged with multiple dangerous driving offences.
According to 7News, Campo’s father says his family is not angry with the driver accused of causing the crash, and wants the heartbreaking incident to serve as an important warning about road safety.
“Nick’s father said he’s not mad at the driver of the car,” Nick Overall reported.
Tributes have poured in for Nick Campo (above) following his passing at the age of 18
The father of the young football star has spoken out after a teenager who was allegedly driving the car was charged with a number of charges
“The family wants this tragic event to serve as a reminder to them to remain safe on the road.”
A friend at the vigil told 7News: “Nick was one of a kind. A lot of people loved him.”
Another added: “He had a very good heart, was very funny. No matter what situation he was in, he could always make a joke.”
Robert Henderson, principal of Aquinas College, the school Campo attended, said: “There are no words to express our sorrow and condolences at the loss of this wonderful young man.”
Campo’s local cricket club, Cockburn, said in a statement: ‘Cockburn Cricket Club is shocked to learn of the tragic passing of Cavalier Nicholas Campo in a car crash on Saturday evening, aged just 18.
‘Nick was a talented all-round athlete, playing 11 games for the senior club and a couple of seasons in our junior cricket program, spending his last few years with the Fremantle District Cricket Club.
‘We extend our sincere condolences to his family, fellow Cavaliers, Daniel (father) and Charlie (brother), as well as his mother Bianca and sister Eva. We are thinking of you all at this terrible time.
“May he rest in peace.”
The accused driver of the vehicle was granted bail on condition that he not operate a motor vehicle. He will appear in court again in September.