Buxton crash driver pleads guilty over five teen deaths
Tyrell Edwards, 19, has pleaded guilty to five counts of aggravated driving occasioning death, following a fatal crash which killed five teens south of Sydney last year.
The teen arrived at Picton Local Court on Thursday surrounded by family members who shielded his face from cameras using an umbrella.
As he sat in the dock at the packed court, the magistrate read out the five charges he faced over the horror crash, where he was driving 45km/h over the speed limit.
"Guilty, your honour," Edwards would repeat as each count was read out to him.
Edwards, who was a P-plater at the time of the accident, crashed into a tree killing three boys and two girls between the ages of 14 and 16, while he suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Summer Williams, Antonio Desisto, Gabriella McLennan, Lily Van de Putte, and Tyrese Bechard were all pronounced dead at the scene.
The court was told that the car only had seatbelts for four passengers in addition to the driver.
His lawyers argued that he should remain on bail until his next court date on the 24th of August, so that he can receive treatment for mental health issues including PTSD and an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis.
But the Magistrate denied the plea, as they believed it wasn't a good enough excuse for Edwards to remain at liberty until then.
"I'm also of the view that if it is necessary to take place then it can take place while the offender is in custody," Magistrate David Degnan said.
"Accordingly his bail is revoked, and you will remain in custody, Edwards."
The Magistrate also acknowledged family and friends of the five victims, who were present in court to hear the charges, before describing the tragedy as a "particularly egregious" example of dangerous driving.
"And the impact was at speed and had a devastating effect," he said.
Edwards faces a maximum of 14 years in prison for each of the charges.
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