A mother who died alongside her five-year-old son when a truck ploughed into their family SUV was a beloved primary school teacher whose life revolved around keeping her ‘little family’ safe.
Jess West was died instantly, along with her youngest son Deighton, in the horrific car crash in Kingston, near Creswick in regional Victoria, on Sunday afternoon.
Her eldest son, nine-year-old Oakley, was left with critical injuries and remains at the Royal Children’s Hospital with his father Anthony by his side.
The newly widowed father was driving when Michael Knowler, 59, allegedly failed to give way and slammed into their car just three days shy of the new year.
Both men walked away from the accident virtually unscathed.
Deighton graduated from his kinder class this year and was preparing to enter primary school in 2020 (Pictured on graduation day with his mum)
Pictured: Five-year-old Deighton ringing the bell at a meet and greet with Santa
Ms West was sitting in the front passenger seat with Deighton directly behind her as the truck approached. Her husband and Oakley were on the other side of the car.
On Christmas Day, which also happens to be Mr West’s birthday, the mother-of-two posted on Facebook joking that she predicted she ‘wouldn’t see her boys again for six weeks’ after surprising them with an Xbox.
She said she spent the festive day at home with her husband and ‘beautiful boys’, sharing photos of the lookalike siblings with Christmas inspired face paint on their cheeks.
Just days earlier she revealed her boys had gone hunting for Christmas presents and found her stash from Santa.
‘All found. Note to self: Hide presents in several areas next year,’ she wrote on Facebook.
Ms West was sitting in the front passenger seat with Deighton directly behind her as the truck approached. Her husband and Oakley were on the other side of the car
‘Oakley is at the questioning age… he’s been unsure and this will affirm his thoughts. I don’t mind that, but Deighton has just turned five.
‘Always the sneaky eldest child. Worst part is he informed the five-year-old.’
Ms West was a member of the DEM fitness community, who shared a tribute to the young mother after her death.
‘You really were the life of the gym. No matter where our classes were or what they were you put an extremely positive fun spin on it… maybe not the running so much,’ the message read.
Ms West’s aunt Susan Roberts told the Herald Sun little Deighton had a bright future ahead of him.
The youngster had only recently graduated from his pre-school and was looking forward to joining his brother as a student at Strathfieldsaye Primary School in the new year.
Deighton met Santa Claus before Christmas – and found his stash of Christmas presents before the big day
Emergency services arrived at the scene as a young boy was airlifted to hospital in critical condition
His mother also taught at the school.
‘He was really looking forward to it … being with his mum and big brother every day,’ Ms Roberts said.
Ms West shared this photo of a smiling Deighton on Christmas Day – and his father’s birthday
Another friend of the family described Ms West as a ‘bubbly’ woman and a great mum.
‘The love she had for her two boys and husband Anthony was so deep. Her face lit up when she talked about them,’ she said.
‘She was always such a happy, bubbly lady.’
Mr Knowler faced court on Monday charged with two counts of dangerous driving causing death and causing serious injury.
He also faces further counts of reckless conduct.
His lawyer asked for it to be noted during court proceedings Mr Knowler has a ‘sore back’, the Herald Sun reported.
The defence also mentioned it was the man’s first time in custody.
Victoria Police’s Sergeant Paul Lineham described the situation as ‘utterly avoidable.’
‘This is absolutely devastating. This is a collision that was completely and utterly avoidable,’ he said.
‘We’ve got two people dead here – one is a child… these things shouldn’t be happening.’
The man who was driving the truck (above) was uninjured and has since been charged