First victim of horror crash is revealed as a beloved mum – as more details of the smash which killed four foreign workers when their ute went flying into a B-double truck emerge
- Debbie Markey, 62, identified as one of five dead
- Died alongside four international workers in car crash
One of the five people killed in a tragic car crash has been identified as a widowed mother who was driving four international workers she was hosting, who also died.
The 62-year-old-woman, Debbie Markey, was one of five killed after a Mercedes driven by Christopher Dylan Joannides, 29, allegedly hit a Nissan Navara ute which sent it spinning into the path of a B-double truck near Strathmerton, just south of the Victoria-NSW border, about 2.30pm on Thursday.
Ms Markey’s son, Daniel Montero, remembered her as ‘the life of the party’ and someone who continually provided support to her community.
Joannides was charged with five counts of dangerous driving causing death after admitting he was the driver of the white Mercedes sedan during an interview with police.
Debbie Markey (pictured), 62, a mother and widow, has been identified as one of the five who were killed instantly in Thursday’s Strathmerton crash near the NSW border
Mr Montero told the Herald Sun that he would remember his mum as ‘a ridiculously fun and energetic person’ and a ‘very proud mum and a great chef’.
‘She had time for everyone and she was way too forgiving,’ Mr Montero said.
Ms Markey was widowed after the death of her husband, Robert, from lung and brain cancer in 2007.
‘Her life has not been easy but she really found her purpose looking after these foreign nationals,’ Mr Montero said.
‘She was the life of the party at every event and a hard working community member.’
The four international workers, all aged between 23 and 30, died instantly alongside Ms Markey upon colliding with the truck.
Her son, Daniel Moreton (pictured, right), described his mum as ‘the life of the party’ and a ‘very proud mum and a great chef’
The crash was allegedly caused by Dylan Joannides, 29, who allegedly did not stop at a give way sign, striking Ms Markey’s car and diverting them into a path of a B-double truck
According to court documents, 29-year-old Joannides was pulled over just 2km from the crash site after he was caught doing 118km/hour in a 100km/hour zone.
Police will allege that after leaving the traffic stop, Joannides then ran through a give way sign at the Labuan Road and Murray Valley Hwy intersection.
He allegedly told officers he had smoked cannabis ‘one day or more ago’ and returned a positive result for cannabis on a preliminary ‘lick stick’ saliva test.
Joannides was granted bail under strict conditions, including not being able to drive.
He is next due to appear in court on September 19.
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