The families of two teenagers tragically killed in a car accident expressed their profound sorrow as they attended the sentencing of the driver responsible for the crash. Nicholas Thew, 29, who had recently been released from prison and lacked a driver’s licence, was driving over twice the speed limit in a residential area of Sydney’s southwest when he collided with a tree and a power pole on November 6, 2023.
The horrific impact tore the vehicle apart, resulting in the deaths of a 14-year-old and a 13-year-old, while Thew and a 23-year-old passenger sustained injuries. At the sentencing in Campbelltown District Court, the families wore T-shirts featuring the boys’ faces, calling for justice. In their statements, they conveyed the “immeasurable grief” and the “profound anguish” caused by their losses. Judge David Arnott recognised the tragedy for the families, who must now face life without their children.
Thew’s reckless driving—speeding at 112km/h in a 50km/h zone with minors in the vehicle—was described by Judge Arnott as a clear neglect of his responsibilities. After the crash, Thew did not attempt to help the boys or contact emergency services, instead fleeing the scene and later hiding in a creek, claiming he was overwhelmed by the situation. He surrendered to police the following day, expressing regret and a desire to undo his actions.
Despite displaying remorse, Judge Arnott was cautious about Thew’s potential for reoffending, especially given his extensive criminal history that includes serious past convictions. Thew had been out of prison for merely five months before this incident.
Ultimately, he received a nine-year prison sentence for the fatal crash, with the possibility of parole in September 2029, taking into account the time already served. Judge Arnott acknowledged that no punishment could restore the lives of the boys, highlighting that the value of life transcends judicial sentences. The emotional impact of the tragedy was palpable as families wiped away tears during the proceedings, a stark reminder of the irreversible loss they endure.