The devastated family of a man killed by an alleged disqualified driver fleeing police have revealed his children are still waiting for him to return home.
Qantas traffic controller Lual Awan Lueth, 49, was heading to work at Sydney Airport about 4am on Tuesday when his Toyota Corolla was hit by a Holden sedan on the Great Western Highway in St Marys, western Sydney.
The South Sudanese refugee was killed instantly, while the 43-year-old driver of the sedan reportedly fled the scene of the accident on foot but was arrested a short time later in a nearby backyard.
The driver of the sedan, who police said was disqualified from driving and was known to police, was taken to Nepean Hospital under police guard.
Yuol Yuol said Seven news that some of his uncle’s seven children still don’t know that their father is not coming home. The youngest is just five years old.
“We haven’t told them yet,” he said.
‘They can see something is not right. Everyone is shocked.
Yuol added that his uncle did not deserve to die.
Lual Awan Lueth, 49, died Tuesday morning on his way to work as an air traffic controller.
The devastated relatives could not contain their grief when they visited the accident site.
“I still can’t believe it really happened,” Mr. Yuol said.
“I really can’t understand it.”
A local clergyman said Mr Lueth’s family felt the loss deeply.
“This innocent man was going to work to make sure he could support his family, but his life just ended,” said the Rev. Samuel John.
‘The community is now devastated.
“It will never be the same for the family.”
Ropes Crossing Strikers Football Club president Adam Hartas has since initiated a GoFundMe page to help ease the financial burden on Mr. Lueth’s family.
“He was a hard-working man, a leader and a hero in his community,” he wrote.
‘Mr Lueth was part of the Ropes Crossing FC community, and three of his sons played for Ropes Crossing FC in 2024.
“As a club and community we want to support the family as much as possible.”
One of Mr Lueth’s sons is also a rising star at the Western Sydney Wanderers academy.
The page has already raised almost $10,000 in one day.
Lueth has been remembered as a “hardworking” man who supported his wife and children.
Mr Lueth died in the crash on the Great Western Highway in St Marys about 4am.
Earlier on Wednesday, Daily Mail Australia revealed that Lueth was a hero of the Sudanese civil war.
Nyarweng Community of Australia president Gabriel Thon Deng described Mr Lueth’s death as a “painful blow” to the local Sudanese community.
Lueth was a member of the Nyarweng ethnic group in southern Sudan’s Jonglei state, which was torn apart by the Sudanese civil war that began in 1983 and lasted 22 years.
The war left the majority of people in the area, which has a population of almost 1.2 million, hungry and without access to clean water, healthcare or education.
“There are no words to adequately express the shock and pain felt by all who knew him,” Mr Deng said.
Qantas air traffic controller Lual Awan Lueth was on his way to work when the tragedy occurred.
Police have launched a critical incident following the accident in St Marys (scene pictured)
‘Lual was a true hero, defending nyarweng earth and transforming the lives of many, especially within his family.
‘He was a hard-working man with many skills, admired by those around him.
“As we mourn this tremendous loss, we extend our deepest condolences to the immediate family.”
Deng Majak Piok added that Mr Luerth was the president of the Duk Community in Sydney. Duk is a county in Jonglei, a state of South Sudan.
“His death saddens us to lose such an important person at this early time,” Mr. Piok said.
‘The late Lual was a great friend with whom we shared the stories of our travels.
“On behalf of the Duk community in Sydney, I would like to send my deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
The Holden then collided with a silver Toyota Corolla hatchback (pictured)
Devastated loved ones are seen rushing to the crash site on Tuesday
“May God rest his soul in peace.”
Police were patrolling in a fully marked car on Mamre Road during the early hours of Tuesday when they saw the sedan and thought the driver was acting suspiciously.
The driver then allegedly sped onto the Great Western Highway and police followed him but lost sight of the car.
Officers stumbled upon the crash site a short time later. They gave first aid to Mr Lueth, but despite their best efforts, they could not save him.
North West Metropolitan Region Commander Gavin Wood described Mr Lueth’s death as an “incredible tragedy”.
‘You have an innocent 49-year-old man going to work, but he doesn’t go to work or come home. His family doesn’t get to see him… For that poor man, and for his family and friends, his life has changed in this instant.’
The driver of the sedan, 43, remains in the hospital. Charges are expected to be filed.
A crime scene was established and a critical incident team from North Shore Police Area Command was investigating.
The investigation is also subject to independent review.
Anyone with dashcam footage, CCTV vision or information about the incident is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
