Father who lost family in Christmas Day car crash at Manly West opens up on grief

‘I don’t look forward to Christmas anymore’: Father who lost his wife and daughter in Xmas Day crash caused by ice addict reveals his pain as culprit could be out of jail in just two years

  • Laurie Tritton lost wife and daughter in Christmas Day car crash at Manly West
  • Mark Veneris was jailed for three-and-a-half years following the 2017 collision
  • Though he could be released from jail and walk free as early as Christmas 2021 
  • Mr Tritton said he and daughter mourn Christmas Day and no presents shared 

A man who lost his wife and daughter in a Christmas Day car crash has spoken of his horror that the ice-user who caused the collision could be freed in two years.

Laurie Tritton, 55, was riding in the car with his wife Karin and two daughters Makayla and Tarmeka, 23, before their vehicle was struck at Manly West, in Brisbane, in 2017.

Only Mr Tritton and Tarmeka survived the crash, Courier Mail reported. 

The driver of the other vehicle, Mark Veneris, was given a three-and-a-half year jail sentence, though could be freed as soon as Christmas 2021.

The driver of the other vehicle, Mark Veneris (pictured), was given a three-and-a-half year jail sentence, though could be freed as soon as Christmas 2021

Laurie Tritton, 55, was riding in the car with his wife Karin (right) and two daughters Makayla (left) and Tarmeka, 23, before their vehicle was struck at Manly West, in Brisbane, in 2017

Laurie Tritton, 55, was riding in the car with his wife Karin (right) and two daughters Makayla (left) and Tarmeka, 23, before their vehicle was struck at Manly West, in Brisbane, in 2017

Mr Veneris had been speeding at 100k/h in a 70k/h zone before he lost control of his BMW drove, over the median strip, hit a tree and smashed into the vehicle head-on.

As emergency services pulled Mr Veneris from the wreckage, a firefighter noticed an ice pipe on the front seat of the car following the crash.

Mr Tritton said for all the pain Veneris has caused his family, the jail sentence wasn’t long enough.

‘Veneris should have got a life sentence, because we got a life sentence,’ he said. 

Mr Tritton now spends Christmas with his surviving daughter Tarmeka mourning the loss of their family.

The pair don’t even exchange presents with one another. 

‘I don’t even look forward to Christmas anymore,’ he said.

Mr Tritton had been asleep at the time of the crash and said that could have saved his life.

Makayla Tritton, 18, and her mother Karin, 56, died after their car - laden with presents on its way to a Christmas lunch in Brisbane - was hit by Mr Veneris' vehicle (pictured is Makayla Tritton)

Makayla Tritton, 18, and her mother Karin, 56, died after their car – laden with presents on its way to a Christmas lunch in Brisbane – was hit by Mr Veneris’ vehicle (pictured is Makayla Tritton)

Mr Veneris had been speeding at 100k/h in a 70k/h zone before he lost control of his BMW drove, over the median strip, hit a tree and smashed into the vehicle head-on

Mr Veneris had been speeding at 100k/h in a 70k/h zone before he lost control of his BMW drove, over the median strip, hit a tree and smashed into the vehicle head-on

‘When I woke up from the accident I looked back and Makayla was in the same position asleep – she looked asleep – and she didn’t have a mark on her body,’ he said. 

His family was rushed to hospital and Mr Tritton suffered a chipped sternum and perforated bowel.

His daughter Tarmeka had a collapsed lung and injured ankle that that required a screw. 

To make matters worse, two of Mr Tritton’s mobile phones containing precious final photos and irreplaceable memories were stolen as he lay in his hospital bed.  

Opposition justice spokesman David Janetzi said he had written to the Attorny General to appeal Veneris’ sentence. 

He argued anyone caught behind the wheel while on drugs should face the ‘full force of the law’.  

Makayla (pictured) died instantly when the owner of a BMW collided with the family's vehicle 

Makayla (pictured) died instantly when the owner of a BMW collided with the family’s vehicle 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk