Charges laid after sisters’ deaths
Charges were laid yesterday in relation to a crash that killed two sisters.
Tayla Alexander, 17, died and her sister Sunmara, 16, suffered critical injuries in the crash on Christchurch’s Summit Rd on November 27 last year.
Sunmara, an Ashburton College student, died in hospital on December 13, her 16th birthday. She had suffered extensive burns and the battle to save her had meant multiple amputations due to infections.
A 19-year-old man was yesterday charged with two counts of dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving causing injury and driving without the appropriate licence. He is to appear in Christchurch District Court on May 28.
“This was a devastating event and a tragic reminder to all drivers of the need to drive safely and to the conditions,” said Superintendent Lane Todd, Canterbury Metro Area Commander. “Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Tayla and Sunmara as they continue to grieve the loss of their loved ones.”
The sisters’ father Jason Alexander told the Herald his last words to his only children were: “I love you and be good.”
He had left the family’s Ashburton home to see his partner. The girls then sneaked out of the house and headed toward Christchurch.
Alexander had raised his daughters on his own since their mother moved to Australia 11 years ago. He said the sisters were extremely close but had different personalities.
Tayla, who was studying art, was a “kind and gentle soul”, who put others first. “She wanted to be a psychologist to help people. She was very strong, caring and loving.”
Her younger sister was “funloving and full of energy. Her goal was to make lots of money. She had just started working at Countdown.”