EXCLUSIVE: Daughter of car crash victim makes heartbreaking confession as her mother dies with four others after a Mercedes driver reportedly drove a give way sign: ‘I’m really sorry mom’
- Debbie Markey, 62, killed in a car accident
- Her daughter Tammy Anstis turns 20 on Tuesday
- She has “not been able to say goodbye” to her estranged mother
Debbie Markey, 62, (pictured), was one of five people killed in a horror crash in Strathmerton, Victoria, on Thursday
The daughter of a woman who was killed in a car crash along with four others has revealed her heartbreak that she “couldn’t say goodbye” to her estranged mother after a fight with her five years ago.
Debbie Markey, 62, died Thursday after her Nissan Navara ute was reportedly hit by a Mercedes and pushed into the path of an oncoming truck in Strathmerton, just south of the Victoria/NSW border.
The horrific crash also claimed the lives of her international boarders: three women and a man aged 23 to 30 from Hong Kong and Taiwan, as well as Ms Markey’s dog, Sophie.
Ms Markey’s daughter, Tammy Anstis, 19, said she hadn’t seen her mother in years but was thinking about resuming contact.
In a social media post shared when she returned to her hometown this week, Ms Antsis said: “People close to me know that 14 years ago my mother lost my father, the love of her life, to cancer.”
Tammy Anstis, 19, (pictured) has shared her heartbreak after not getting a chance to say goodbye to her mother
Mrs. Anstis pictured in costume props next to her mother when she was younger
Ms Anstis shared regret over her mother’s estrangement in a poignant post online
“Me and my mom didn’t have the best relationship or relationship at all for a long time.
“I had wanted to contact her for a while, so she knew I loved her. I haven’t seen my mom since I was 16.
“Now I never get the chance.”
Ms Anstis also shared pictures of her with her mum in happier times along with the caption, ‘I will always love you’.
On Sunday, the young woman returned to the scene of the fatal accident, where bouquets of flowers have been tied to a tree with a rope as a makeshift memorial to the five victims.
‘I’m sorry mom. I’m so sorry,” she captioned photos of the tribute.
Debbie Markey, 62, died Thursday after her Nissan Nivara (pictured at the scene) was reportedly hit by a Mercedes
A white Mercedes (pictured) allegedly hit a Nissan Navara and hurled it into a B-twin truck
The Nissan Navara 4WD ute was thrown into the truck’s path (pictured) after being hit by the Mercedes
Mrs Markey and her four passengers were killed instantly when a Mercedes sedan collided with her Nissan Navara on the Murray Valley Highway, sending it into the path of a B-double truck.
The alleged Mercedes driver, Christopher Dylan Joannides, was charged with five counts of dangerous driving.
According to court documents, the 29-year-old was pulled over just 2 km from the crash site after being caught speeding 118 km/h in a 100 km/h zone.
Victoria Police spent a total of 40 minutes with the 29-year-old before stopping at 2.19pm, just three minutes before the horror attack.
Police will allege that after exiting the traffic stop, Joannides ran through a give way sign at the Labuan Road and Murray Valley Hwy intersection.
Joannides was released on bail at Shepparton Magistrates Court on Friday afternoon.
He will return to court on September 19.
Ms Anstis shared photos of a makeshift memorial at the crash site after returning to her hometown on Sunday