The young driver of the ute that crashed into a tree, killing five of his pals, is now being held in jail on suicide watch while his attorneys wait for the results of a psychologist’s evaluation and push for the speedy processing of his application for release.
Just before 8 o’clock on September 6, Tyrell Edwards, 18, was operating the vehicle when his Nissan ute crashed into a tree in Buxton, southwest of Sydney, killing three girls and two boys from Picton High School, ages 14 to 16.
The P-plater was first denied bail at Picton Local Court on September 8 after being charged with five charges of reckless driving causing death.
On Monday, Edwards’ attorneys informed the NSW Supreme Court that the 16-year-old had been on suicide watch at the Silverwater prison since September 8 and that a report from the prison psychiatrists was expected by the end of the week.
The bail application was requested to be put down “as soon as feasible,” and Registrar George Galanis has now scheduled the hearing for October 14 because “I am cognizant of the nature of the situation and its gravity.”
The application was submitted as the last funerals, for Summer Williams, 14, and Antonio Desisto, 16, were scheduled to take place. Tyrese Bechard, 15, Lily van de Putte, 15, and Gabriella McLennan, 14, had already said their final goodbyes at the end of the previous week.
The court heard during Edwards’ original bail application that he had previously committed speeding offences that resulted in his license being suspended twice.
According to police, in the hour before the collision that claimed the lives of the five adolescents, four of whom were students at Picton High School, authorities were able to collect video showing the youths inside the vehicle.
Unlike Edwards, who graduated from Picton High School more than a year before, Antonio Desisto was about to begin an apprenticeship as a carpenter.
Last week, during Edwards’ local court hearing, it was revealed that earlier that evening, approximately an hour before the tragic collision, he had been seen on camera in a Snapchat video driving recklessly and swerving at 90 km/h.
According to court filings, one of the alleged victims can be heard stating, “We’re going to spin out, cuz,” on the video.
Edwards reportedly told police during an interview that the steering wheel started “shaking” and that he lost control of the car.
Last Monday, Edwards appeared in court via a video connection from a police cell but showed no emotion. He sat with his hands clenched and was dressed in a black sweatshirt.
The decision to refuse bail was “not made easy,” according to Magistrate Mark Douglass, although he had taken into consideration Edwards’ driving record.
According to Mr Douglass, “this court has no confidence that this particular individual will comply with whatever bail restrictions the court sets at this specific moment in time given the egregious betrayal of trust and given the flagrant breaking of traffic laws that police believe happened.”
The court heard that labourer Edwards, who has a history of nervousness, was “traumatized” by the occurrence.
Edwards, who has never had a criminal record, was brought to the Silverwater Correctional Complex where he will get treatment for his mental health while he is being held.
Contact Lifeline at 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au for private crisis help.