An Australian mother and her son have been killed in a freak car crash in the US.
A white Toyota Tacoma ute allegedly careered down the wrong side of Highway 85 in San Jose, California, before it crashed into a Tesla carrying Rebecca Olsen, 47, and her son Charlie, 14, at about 3.40pm on Monday.
The pair died in the horrific collision.
California Highway patrol said the collision between the pair’s Tesla and the Toyota Tacoma had closed the highway.
Ms Olsen’s ex-husband and Charlie’s father, Cameron Olsen, said he’d been left with a void in his life which ‘can never be filled’.
He remembered his ex-wife as a loving mother – the pair met as 20-year-olds in Australia – and Mr Olsen said they were the best ‘co-parents’ together.
The trio moved to Silicon Valley 12 years ago as Mr Olsen followed work opportunities with a local tech company.
‘Rebecca was an incredible mother—loving and deeply committed to nurturing our son’s future,’ he wrote in a social media post.
Charlie Olsen, 14, and mother Rebecca Olsen, 47, (above) died in a head on collision in the US
The horrific crash saw a large ute, travelling the wrong direction, plough into the pair’s Tesla
‘She believed in the power of education and was passionate about travel, always encouraging Charlie to broaden his horizons.’
Charlie was born in the United Kingdom and had traveled to more than 30 countries, his father said.
‘Charlie was a bright light in our lives. He had an insatiable curiosity and a passion for the world around him,’ Mr Olsen said.
‘Whether traveling to new places, getting lost in a good book, learning yet another language, or solving complex math problems, learning brought him joy.
‘He was my best friend, my travel buddy and the only person I ever truly at home with.
‘I want my son back beyond comprehension.’
Mr Olsen left a link for donations to be made to Summit Tahoma High School to help others’ childrens to enjoy school trips his son was looking forward to.
‘Many of you have asked how best to honour their lives and legacy … if you are inclined to donate in memory of Charlie and Rebecca, please consider directing you gift to Summit Tahoma High School,’ he wrote with a link to the donation site.
Mr Olsen told news.com.au his son had passed an exam to skip ahead a year in maths, but that he didn’t find out until after his son passed.
He last saw his son three days prior to the accident on Friday, saying he was ‘super happy’.
‘Charlie was remarkable. Spoke multiple languages. Knew politics systems inside out. Went to 7 continents by 13,’ Mr Olsen said.
He also said the days have passed slowly since the accident, while he grieves his losses.
‘I feel like every minute is an hour and every hour is a day and every day is a week. It’s a daze,’ he said.
‘I had formally identify Charlie today at the coroners (via photo). The crash badly damaged him and I haven’t stopped crying since.’
The crash closed three lanes of Highway 85 on Monday and a Florida man was taken to hospital
According to US media outlets, California Highway Patrol had received reports of a white Toyota Tacoma driving in the wrong direction along Highway 85 on Monday before the collision.
The driver of the Toyota has been identified as Duncan McQuarrie from Orlando, Florida, according to CBS news.
He reportedly sustained major injuries and was taken to a hospital.
No charges have been laid.
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk