Tyrell Edwards, 19, has pleaded guilty to five counts of aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death after a high-speed crash in Buxton, south-west of Sydney, in September last year. The crash killed five Picton High School students aged between 14 and 16.
Edwards, who held a provisional licence, was driving a silver Nissan Navara utility at speeds up to 147km/h before losing control at 118km/h in a 60km/h zone. The vehicle hit a tree, rebounded, and struck a second tree, tearing open the rear cabin and throwing four of the five children onto the ground.
The magistrate, David Degnan, described the dangerous driving as “particularly egregious” and noted it was repeated over a period of time. Edwards had been speeding for two hours before the crash and used his phone to record himself swerving the vehicle.
Edwards’ bail was revoked despite his solicitor arguing he needed psychiatric treatment for PTSD and major depressive disorder. The magistrate found no special circumstances to allow bail, given Edwards faces a full-time prison sentence.
Lily van de Putte and Gabby McLennan, both 14, Summer Williams and Tyrese Bechard, both 15, and Antonio Desisto, 16, died at the scene. Lily’s father, John van de Putte, said the families are living the day of the crash repeatedly and called for tougher traffic laws.
Edwards has no prior criminal history but has had his licence suspended twice for speeding. He will be sentenced at a later date, with the case returning to Campbelltown district court on 24 August.
