Perth families shattered after fatal crash driver’s court case thrown out

Two families shattered by the loss of two young men left Perth District Court feeling they had been denied justice on Wednesday.

Ashley Quadros was behind the wheel of a car when it hit a curb and slammed into a tree in Seville Grove in 2021, killing 15-year-old Tom Saffioti and 17-year-old Mark Bogoni.

Quadros was charged with two counts of dangerous driving causing death. However, those charges were thrown out on the third day of his trial on Wednesday.

Prosecutors had alleged Quadros removed his hands from the wheel while driving, causing him to lose control and veer towards the curb.

However, an expert witness testified the car’s veering to the left was caused by Quadros’ oversteering.

Judge Gary Massey found Quadros not guilty after a “no case” submission from defence lawyer Seamus Rafferty, which was ultimately conceded by prosecutors.

Massey concluded the jury would not have been able to find beyond reasonable doubt that the accused had his hands off the steering wheel.

In throwing out the case, Massey expressed sympathy to the victims’ families.

“The events which have led to this matter coming before this court are a tragedy, and the effects are both wide-ranging and persistent,” he said.

“Nothing I say, or the reasons I’ve given, will be any consolation for those who have to live with the loss of these two young men, and nor will it give any closure to them.”

Outside court, Mark Bogoni’s brother, Luke, said the families felt let down by the process.

“Mark and Tom were both beautiful boys, and we love them, and we miss them, and we pray that all young people drive safely and responsibly on the road, because we would never want what’s happened to our families to ever happen to any other family again,” he said.

9News Perth

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