‘She was the golden child’: Tributes to pair killed in crash
MAKAYLA Tritton has been described as a “golden child” as tributes pour in for the teen and her mum killed in a Christmas road tragedy that brought police to tears.
The Narangba 18-year-old died at the scene and her mother Karin, 56, succumbed to critical injuries hours after an out-of-control BMW slammed into their family sedan on their way to relatives for Christmas lunch.
Makayla’s 23-year-old sister Tarmeka and 55-year-old father Laurence remain in hospital but are expected to recover.
The teen and her mum were well-known among the southeast Queensland tenpin bowling community.
“Makayla was the golden child to all of us here and always will be. We loved her with all our hearts and always will,” said a spokesman for Strathpine Hyperbowl, where Makayla worked.
Police said the family had “no chance” to evade the headon collision, with the other vehicle crossing the median strip in Manly West.
The car was filled with gifts that will never be exchanged. Police broke the news to relatives who rang one of the victim’s mobile phones wondering why they were late. Officers were reduced to tears.
Road policing commander Superintendent David Johnson said: “(It) is something that is going to be etched in their minds forever and a day.”
A 46-year-old Capalaba man was charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death and dangerous operation of a vehicle causing grievous bodily harm.