The family of a toddler who died in a horrific car crash in Sydney’s west has no idea how the crash happened or why he and his mother were on the road at 3am.
Emergency services were called to Christie Street in St Marys in the early hours of last Friday after a Hyundai Getz collided with a parked lorry and trailer.
Jamielee Matthews, 38, and her four-year-old son, Brax Grover, had to be rescued from the rubble by first responders before being taken to hospital in critical condition.
Brax lost his fight for life hours later, just weeks before his fifth birthday, a few months after his grandfather’s death.
Five days later, he is remembered as a “playful, loving boy who loved Paw Patrol, while his family mourns “a life taken too soon.”
Brax’s aunt, Simone Gittoes, told WhatsNew2Day Australia that she has launched a Go finance me fundraiser to raise $7,000 to give her nephew “the send-off he deserves.”
Brax Grover died last Friday morning shortly after being rushed to the hospital.
Heartbreaking photos from the scene showed a white hatchback smashed into the back of the truck and debris strewn across the road.
“We want to give him a bright farewell, he has already lost a lot of things,” he said.
“He couldn’t start school or kindergarten, he didn’t make friends, he didn’t play football, he has been robbed of all the things that children should do.”
Ms Gittoes, who is the partner of Brax’s uncle Daniel, said the family does not know the extent of Ms Matthews’ injuries and why the mother and son were on the road at 3am .
“I think he is still in hospital, we are trying to get some information about his condition but we don’t know anything at the moment,” Mrs Gittoes said.
“We don’t know why they were in the car at that time in the morning, I know a little bit of information but I don’t feel free to step on anyone.”
“But Brax shouldn’t have been out at that time.”
Gittoes said Brax’s father, Mark, and the entire family are “coping as best they can” following the devastating loss.
It is the second death in the family in recent months.
“Mark is doing as well as you would expect, it has affected him a lot and, to be honest, it has affected us all,” Mrs Gittoes said.
“My partner’s family just lost their dad (Brax’s grandfather) after Christmas, he had cancer and it was a pretty tough blow and we’re still processing that loss,” she said.
It is understood mother Jamielee Matthews (pictured left) is still in hospital. Her ex-partner Mark Grover (pictured right) has been “hardly affected” by the death of her son.
Loving father Mark (right) lost his father four months before losing his son Brax (left)
Brax Glover was a few weeks away from turning five when he died
The fundraiser has raised more than $3,500 in four days.
“Brax would be turning 5 in a few weeks, he was such a happy and bright little boy who loved playing with his toys, had his favorite teddy bears and loved Paw Patrol,” the page states.
‘He was loved by many.
‘Brax was taken from us too soon and his life was too short. He didn’t have the opportunity to start school, play soccer or make lifelong friends.
A makeshift memorial created by Brax’s uncle was set up at the crash site, where loved ones and community members left teddy bears and flowers to pay their respects.
“Daniel did a little tribute to Brazzy, so that’s a place that all the family members will attend,” Ms Gittoes said.
Specialist officers attached to the Metropolitan Accident Investigation Unit established the crime scene and forensically examined it.
Investigations into the accident continue.
Heartbreaking photos from the scene showed a white hatchback smashed into the back of the truck and debris strewn across the road.
Brax was a happy, bright boy who loved Paw Patrol and playing with his toys.
His uncle Daniel has installed a memorial to Brax at the crash site.
