A driver who was 18 years old at the time of his detention was charged with causing a car accident that resulted in the deaths of five passengers while videotaping himself driving recklessly, as stated in court documents.
On Tuesday night, Tyrell Edwards, 18, was driving a Nissan Navara when it collided with two trees near the Wollondilly Shire hamlet of Buxton. The collision resulted in the deaths of three females and two boys ranging in age from 14 to 16 years old.
A magistrate denied him bail on five counts of dangerous driving that resulted in the death of a person after the authorities presented a video that was allegedly taken in the moments before the fatal collision. The video allegedly supported elements of the charges and demonstrated a high level of moral responsibility.
The video shows Edwards driving with two of the victims an hour before the crash, which was captured on his phone.
It is observed that Edwards is holding his cell phone while also violently spinning the steering wheel and loud music is playing in the background.
The following may be overheard coming from a male passenger in the vehicle: “We’re going to spin out cuz.”
In the seconds before the crash, Edwards is said to have been driving at a high pace when he suddenly lost control of his vehicle, veered onto the wrong side of the road, and continued forwards along a grassy road shoulder for some 40 metres.
According to the findings of the investigations, the ute turned counterclockwise for approximately 50 metres before colliding into a tree, after which it rotated clockwise before colliding with a second tree.
The force of the impact tore the back seat of the car out of the vehicle, which ejected all five individuals who were killed.
The crashes tore open the passenger compartment of the ute.
Their bodies were discovered in the area.
‘I f***** up’
According to the evidence presented in court, witnesses claim to have overheard Edwards saying, “I f***ed up, I’m going to jail.”
After making a brief appearance in Picton Local Court via video link on Thursday while suffering from some injuries, the driver will continue to be held by the police until November.
When he pleaded for release, his attorney stated that the 18-year-old had suffered serious trauma as a result of the incident.