Kristie, Kryscina Merrett: Driver charged over James Edds’ death is a single mother
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Pictured: Kristie Fiona Anne Merrett, who also goes by Kryscina Merrett
A woman who was allegedly four times over the legal alcohol limit when she got behind the wheel of her Lexus SUV and killed a nine-year-old boy is a successful tattoo artist and single mother of three.
Kristie Fiona Anne Merrett, 51, allegedly collided with a Toyota sedan after failing to stop at a yield sign on the intersection of Mort St and George Evans Rd in Killarney Vale, on the NSW central coast, at 12:45pm on Wednesday.
James Lachlan Edds was in the Toyota with his mother, Anastasia; they were heading to the shops to spend their Christmas money on new football boots.
Emergency workers had to separate him from the wreckage before he was taken to Newcastle John Hunter Hospital with serious head injuries. He spent three days fighting for his life, but sadly he died on Saturday.
Ms Merrett, who lives in Bellingen on the central north coast of New South Wales but has family on the central coast, was charged with four serious traffic offenses before facing Newcastle bonds court on Thursday.
However, investigators added six other charges following James’ death over the weekend, including aggravated dangerous driving resulting in death and dangerous driving resulting in death under the influence of alcohol.
She was released on strict probation to Bellingen, where Daily Mail Australia can reveal that she is a popular tattoo artist who goes by the name of Kryscina Merrett.
Ms. Merrett regularly hosts solo art shows to showcase her large oil canvases, including a 2017 exhibition called ‘The Ephemeral Art of Krys Merrett’ (pictured at exhibition opening)
James Lachlan Edds (pictured) died on Saturday, following a suspected car accident three days earlier.
According to a 2017 interview in Focus, a local arts and culture magazine, Ms. Merrett moved to the community as a single mother of three in 2001, joining small tattoo studios in nearby Coffs Harbour.
He also regularly holds solo art shows to showcase his large oil canvases, including a 2017 exhibition called ‘The Ephemeral Art of Krys Merrett’; her father and her two adult children supported her at the opening.
In his interview for the magazine, he said: “I think the world is a very superficial place, with little relevance or support for human beings or our evolution.”
‘Somehow art softens the blow of the harsh reality of life and the world around us.’
She described her work as “symbolic, eternally feminine and fertile”.
‘Other symbols I use include opium poppies, which represent the unconscious and a state of deep sleep.
“In one of my paintings I use poppies with blades, which is essentially about breaking through the unconscious and making it easier to see.”
Nine-year-old James Lachlan Edds (pictured) sustained serious injuries following a car crash in Killarney Vale, NSW
James’ aunt, Nicole Micos, confirmed the news of the boy’s death on Sunday, saying he had “fought so hard” to the very end.
Ms Merrett said she liked getting tattooed because it allowed her to come into contact with people from all walks of life, and she considers it a “privilege to be able to step into the life and love of these people and sometimes into the sadness and pain.”
James’ mother, Anastasia Edds, was taken to Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital with minor injuries.
His death was announced by his aunt, Nicole Micos, on social media on Sunday.
“Tragically, James was taken from us too soon,” he wrote.
Ms Micos said her nephew “fought so hard” to the very end, which was a “testament to how strong and resilient little James was”.
‘If you were lucky enough to have met James, you would know what an amazing little legend he was.
“James loved kicking a ball around with mom, jumping on the trampoline with his buddies, eating yiayia cheesecake, playing Monopoly and Uno with dad, and so much more.”
James was in a car with his mother Anastasia heading to the stores to buy new shoes when their vehicle was allegedly struck by an SUV.
He also thanked the medical team at the hospital for working ‘tirelessly’ to support James for the rest of his life.
Ms. Merrett tested positive for a roadside breath test after the accident.
Then they took her to a police station and she blew 0.197. The legal limit in Australia is 0.05.
His initial charges included driving under the influence, drug possession, aggravated dangerous driving, and reckless driving.
After the schoolboy’s death, investigators upgraded their charges to aggravated dangerous driving resulting in death and dangerous driving resulting in death under the influence.
He has been granted probation at Newcastle Local Court and will return to court on January 27.
Ms. Micos also launched a GoFundMe campaign to support the Edds family.