Jodie Gillett, a 19-year-old learner driver, (pictured) was killed in a horror car crash
The 19-year-old L-plate driver who was killed in a horror car crash as she was learning to drive with her father has been mourned by her tightly-knit community.
Jodie Gillett died at the scene when her Suzuki Swift collided with a Ford Falcon on the junction between Old Northern Road and Meriden Avenue in Glenorie, north-west of Sydney.
The teenager had just finished her shift as a waitress at Charlie Lovett cafe in Baulkham Hills and went for a driving lesson with her dad Garry, 58, who is currently in a critical condition in Royal North Shore Hospital.
The 19-year-old (pictured) had just finished her shift as a waitress and went for a driving lesson with her father. Her death has been mourned by the Castle Hill community
Jodie’s best friend from high-school described her as ‘beautiful’ but told Daily Mail Australia she was too devastated to speak about the tragedy.
The ‘elegant, family-oriented and hard working’ 19-year-old had recently bought a car and was studying to be a primary school teacher, family and friends told the Daily Telegraph.
Her grandmother Heather also told the publication her granddaughter ‘would never go over the speed limit’ and ‘was just so conscientious’.
‘Jodie was kind, caring and a beautiful girl in every sense. This shouldn’t have happened,’ she said.
Chief inspector Frank Gilroy was unable to say what had caused the crash, but said police were looking into the possibility the young girl had been trying to perform a u-turn at the time
The ‘elegant, family-oriented and hard working’ 19-year-old had recently bought a car (pictured) and was studying to be a primary school teacher, family and friends said
‘She’s the most beautiful girl you could ever come across,’ family friend Jane Harvey said
‘She’s the most beautiful girl you could ever come across,’ family friend Jane Harvey who knew Jodie since she was a baby and works with her mother at UnitingCare Wesley Preschool in Castle Hill, told the Daily Telegraph.
‘She was a natural teacher; a beautiful girl in every way. She was an angel,’ Ms Harvey said.
Jodie was previously a student at Castle Hill High School and was on the HSC distinguished achievers’ list in 2016.
She was also a hard worker and much-loved employee at Charlie Lovett cafe in Baulkham Hills.
‘She was a hard worker – always happy, always making people happy and helping out,’ Charlie Lovett chef Sky Lin told the Daily Telegraph.
Jodie was also a hard worker and much-loved employee at Charlie Lovett cafe in Baulkham Hills (pictured)
Chief inspector Frank Gilroy of the NSW Police was unable to say what had caused the crash, but did suggest police were looking into the possibility the young girl had been trying to perform a u-turn at the time.
‘It’s absolutely tragic when these things occur – all drivers should be aware to take care,’ Inspector Gilroy said.
‘Naturally, (the driver’s) mum and (the passenger’s) wife is absolutely devastated. She’s been at her husband’s bedside since last night.’
The Ford Falcon’s driver, a 38-year-old man, was not seriously injured but was transported to Westmead Hospital for mandatory drug and alcohol testing.
Jodie Gillett died at the scene when her Suzuki Swift collided with a Ford Falcon on the junction between Old Northern Road and Meriden Avenue in Glenorie, north-west of Sydney (Google street view pictured)