A mother and daughter were killed on Christmas Day when a man who police believe was on drugs allegedly struck their car.
Karin and Makayla Tritton were traveling to visit relatives in east Brisbane, Australia, when a black BMW veered over the middle of the road, hit a tree, and then hit their car at around 11 a.m.
Two passing doctors attempted to save Makalya, 18, using CPR, but both mother and daughter died on the scene.
One police sergeant who witnessed the aftermath of the crash described it as “very, very difficult to deal with.”
Police also had the difficult task of answering one of the family member’s phones and speaking to a relative waiting for the Trittons at a Christmas lunch nearby.
Tributes to Makalya poured in following the news of her death.
She was a well-known member of the ten-pin bowling community in northern Brisbane, with Strathpine Hyper Bowl saying in a statement: “Makayla was the golden child to all of us here and always will be.”
“We loved her with all our hearts and always will ... We wish our deepest condolences to the Tritton family.”
The driver of the BMW, 46-year-old Mark Veneris, was left with serious injuries and was taken to hospital.
According to police he admitted having a history of alcohol and drug addiction, and a drug pipe was also allegedly found in his car, reported 9 News.
A drug test has been carried out to assess whether he was under the influence of drugs during the crash.
He was granted bail on Dec. 26 and is scheduled to appear before a court on Jan. 15.
The roads around Queensland, Australia are dangerous at this time of year, with 275 drivers testing positive for drink and drug driving, according to 9 News.
