Police have launched a homicide investigation and asked the public for help following a crash that killed four people on the New South Wales north coast earlier this year.
Driver Mark Dodds, 36, and passengers Sophie-Lee Fullagar, 33, Benjamin Watego, 50, and James Doherty, 42, died after the Mazda BT-50 utility vehicle they were traveling in crashed on Back Channel Rd in Wardell.
Police found the blue Mazda BT-50 utility vehicle, which had left the road and crashed, after emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 5.45am on Saturday, February 24.
Mr Dodds, Mrs Fullagar, Mr Watego and Mr Doherty died at the scene.
Detectives now believe a second vehicle was involved.
Sophie-Lee Fullagar’s mother (centre) says her daughter ‘deserved justice’. Image: New South Wales Police Force
Richmond Police District Superintendent Scott Tanner said investigators needed the occupants of the second vehicle to come forward.
“Information provided to police indicates that the vehicle involved is an early 2000s model silver Toyota Corolla sedan bearing stolen license plates,” Mr Tanner said.
‘We believe that the occupants of that vehicle would have crucial information for this investigation, and it is essential that they come forward and speak to detectives.
‘I am appealing to those in that car to contact Lismore Police or Crime Stoppers, and callers can remain anonymous if they wish.
“My detectives are working to provide answers to the grieving families of these individuals, and we know there will be people in our community who will have information that will assist investigators.”
Police are searching for a silver Toyota Corolla sedan from the early 2000s with stolen license plates. Image: New South Wales Police Force
Fullagar’s mother remembered the 33-year-old woman as someone who “never wished harm” on anyone.
“Sophie was a really beautiful girl, she had a heart of gold,” her family told reporters Tuesday.
‘She really had pure intentions as a person, she always wanted the best for everyone.
“She was full of light and love, she was just a really pure soul.”
Fullagar’s mother urged anyone with information to contact police.
“They have to come forward, they have to talk about what happened,” he said.
‘My daughter was an innocent victim in this and deserves justice.
‘Everyone deserves justice because they were all people, everyone had families, everyone loved them.
‘People have to go to the police.
‘It would give us some kind of closure. “Right now we are all pretty devastated, pretty broken and we need closure, we deserve it.”
Meanwhile, Mr Doherty’s family said his death was a “tragic loss of life”.
‘James was a kind-hearted person. If you needed anything, he was there,” his family told reporters.
‘If anyone has any information, don’t share it with your friends, reach out.
‘Please do it for your families.
‘Those answers would mean that justice is done and that the system works.
“The only way for the system to work is for people to come forward and justice for the family.”
Anyone who can identify the occupants of the Toyota Corolla is asked to contact Lismore detectives on 02 6626 0599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
