The parents of a Perth teen killed in a horror car crash this week are campaigning for road safety by urging people to “call out” young drivers who are careless and dangerous.
Nick Campo died just two days after his 18th birthday when the ute he and four friends were travelling in rollled and collided with a black jeep on July 13.
His parents Daniel and Bianca Campo told 9News of their “unbearable pain” since the loss of their son.
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“My Nick, he was definitely one of a kind,” his mum Bianca said.
“I knew he was special, but he was really special to a lot of people.
“And he was a beautiful boy, and he’s going to be missed by so many, so many people.
His father Daniel said his son was “the complete package” but was best known for his cheekiness.
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“If you had to sum Nick up in one word, ‘cheeky’,” he said.
“From day dot …. Cheeky, cheeky.”
Nick was out celebrating his birthday with friends when the ute was in rolled on Farrington Road, North Lake, hitting an oncoming Jeep.
Sitting in the ute alongside Nick were two of his teammates from the South Fremantle Football club, as well as the 17-year-old driver and one other young man.
“He loved footy, he loved cricket, he just was so committed,” his mum said.
“He loved getting around all the boys, you know all the teammates. He loved being in the clubs.”
The 17-year-old boy accused of being behind the wheel is facing serious charges.
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He and another teen were injured in the crash, but have since been released from hospital.
Another boy is fighting for his life in Royal Perth Hospital tonight.
Nick’s parents are praying their son’s friend pulls through and want no other families to go through what they have gone through.
“(Because) It is, it is the worst nightmare that you can imagine and the pain is unbearable,” his mum said.
The family is now channelling their grief towards a road safety campaign called “Call Out for Nick”.
“If it doesn’t look right, that person doesn’t look right to drive, the habits – it’s got to be called out,” his father said.
“We see it every day – young kids they think they’re bulletproof, they’re not.”
Over the weekend every grade in the West Australian Football League (WAFL), including Colts and Reserves, will wear black armbands and hold a minute’s silence before the start of each match in honour of Nick.
“We have been so overwhelmed by all the messages,” Bianca said.
“We had no idea of just how many people really, he has touched.”
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