Thursday 8 September 2022 02:31 PM Buxton ute crash: Father of victim demands dramatic change to P-plate laws trends now
The heartbroken father of a 14-year-old girl who died in the horrific ute crash that killed five teenagers has demanded a dramatic change to P-plate laws.
John Van De Putte, the father of Lily, who died in the accident at Buxton southwest of Sydney, is adamant any driver with a provisional licence should be banned from carrying passengers to prevent a repeat of the tragedy.
The grief-stricken father also says motorists should be at least 20 before they are allowed to get behind the wheel.
Lily Van De Putte, died when the Nissan Navara ute she was a passenger in, alongside friends, including Tyrese Bechard, Summer Williams, Antonio Desisto and another teen who cannot be named or legal reasons, hit a tree after 8pm on Tuesday.
All five victims were aged between 14 and 16.
The driver Tyrell Edwards, 18, who appeared in court on Thursday, lost his licence twice in the past two years for speeding and only got his green P-plate back a month earlier.
It comes as one of Australia's leading trauma surgeons warns the number of tragedies on our nation's roads is soaring.
John Van De Putte, the father of Lily, who died in the accident at Buxton south west of Sydney, is adamant any driver with a provisional licence should be banned from carrying passengers
Lily Van De Putte (pictured left) sadly died with her four of her friends in a ute smash on Tuesday night, south-west of Sydney. Her father described Lily as 'my angel'
Mr Van De Putte is convinced restrictions on young drivers should now follow to prevent a repeat of the tragedy, which has devastated the tiny community 100km south west of Sydney.
Police alleged Edwards used his phone to film Snapchat video of himself aggressively turning the wheel and swerving at 90km/hour before the crash.
They further alleged that Edwards, the only survivor of the horror crash, was heard by a witness saying: 'I f***ed up, I'm going to jail'.
Pictured: What is left of the P-plate
The court also heard witnesses alleged the car travelled at 'high speeds' and was on the wrong side of the road before coming back to the right side before the accident.
Mr Van De Putte, who is confined to a wheelchair by multiple sclerosis, told A Current Affair he doesn't want to spend 'emotional energy' on being angry with the driver.
But he is convinced restrictions on young drivers should now follow to prevent a repeat of the tragedy, which has devastated the tiny community 100km south west of Sydney.
'I'm a firm believer people
