A nine-year-old boy, James Lachlan Edds, was involved in a car accident that would ultimately claim his young life. The driver of the other vehicle, 51-year-old Kristie Fiona Anne Merrett, has been accused of being under the influence of alcohol and drugs at the time of the crash. As the family of James Edds struggles to come to terms with their unimaginable loss, we take a closer look at the events leading up to the fatal collision and the aftermath of this devastating tragedy.
The Devastated Family of James Edds
James Lachlan Edds was a nine-year-old British citizen of white ethnicity who lived on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia. He was the beloved son of Anastasia and an unknown father, and the family has described him as an “incredible little legend” who loved playing sports with his mother, jumping on the trampoline with his friends, and spending time with his dad playing board games.
On Wednesday, James’s life was tragically cut short in a car accident caused by a drunk and drug-impaired driver. He sustained severe head injuries and was transported by air to Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital, where he passed away on Saturday.
“If you were lucky to have met James you would know how much of an incredible little legend he was,” she said. “James loved kicking a ball around with mum, jumping on the trampoline with his mates…playing Monopoly and Uno with dad and so much more.” James’s family has set up a Go Fund Me page in his memory.
James’s mother, Anastasia, has spoken about the joy and love that James brought into the world.
James’s family is understandably devastated by this loss. They have set up a Go Fund Me page in his memory and have provided their consent for his name to be made public. They are now left to grapple with the emotional and financial toll of this tragedy, and our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.
Coast: Nine-Year-Old James Edds Loses Life in Drunk and Drug-Fueled Car Crash
On a sunny Wednesday afternoon on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia, disaster struck. A Toyota car, driven by a responsible adult and carrying nine-year-old James Lachlan Edds, was hit by a Lexus SUV driven by 51-year-old Kristie Fiona Anne Merrett.
According to eyewitnesses, the SUV was traveling at a high speed and ran a red light before crashing into the Toyota. Emergency personnel rushed to the scene, where they found James trapped inside the wreckage with severe head injuries. As they worked to extricate him, paramedics administered first aid and called for an emergency helicopter.
After an agonizing hour of waiting, James was finally airlifted to Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital. Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, he passed away on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the driver of the SUV, Ms. Merrett, escaped the collision unharmed. She was taken into police custody, where she allegedly gave a positive reading for alcohol, with a blood alcohol concentration over four times the legal limit. She was also in possession of an illicit narcotic at the time of the crash, according to authorities.
Ms. Merrett has been charged with high-range DUI and possession of a controlled substance, among other offenses. She has been released on conditional bail and will appear in court again on January 27. In the meantime, her license has been revoked and she is not allowed to drive or sit in the driver’s seat of a vehicle.
Kristie Fiona Anne Merrett, Conditional Bail, and Court Appearance
The driver of the other vehicle involved in the accident, 51-year-old Kristie Fiona Anne Merrett, has been charged with high-range DUI and possession of an illicit narcotic. According to police, Merrett allegedly had a blood alcohol concentration over four times the legal limit and was in possession of a controlled substance at the time of the collision. She has been released on conditional bail and will appear in court again on January 27.
On Thursday, Merrett appeared at Newcastle Local Court, where she was granted conditional bail. She must report to the police three times each week and refrain from using alcohol or drugs in order to abide by the terms of her release. In addition, her license has been immediately revoked, and she is not allowed to sit in the driver’s seat of a vehicle.
Also Read: Keenan Anderson, What Happened to BLM Founder Patrisse Cullors’s cousin?
Merrett will appear in court again on January 27, at which time more information may be revealed about the circumstances of the accident and the ongoing investigation. Police have established a crime scene and are working with the Crash Investigation Unit’s forensic experts to gather evidence and determine the events leading up to the fatal collision.
Conclusion
The loss of James Edds is a tragic reminder of the dangers of drunk and drug-impaired driving. Our thoughts go out to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.
