Community rallies around family after fatal Australia Day crash
A tight-knit community has rallied together to support a grieving widow and her children after her husband and four-year-old son were killed in a car crash on Australia Day.
Chris Vrbesic, 37, was pronounced dead at the scene after his Holden Commodore collided with another car at an intersection in Brisbane's bayside.
His four-year-old son Julian was taken to Queensland Children's Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
The classic car community, of which Mr Vrbesic was an avid member, has since stepped up to help his widow Maria and the couple's two surviving children Myla and Vinnie since the sudden and tragic crash.
Family friend Brittany Claxton said young son Julian was "so full of life and he loved his Tata [father] so so much".
"He was sure to remind us of his favourite person - Tata," she said. "The pair had an unbreakable bond and his mumma realised they were just destined to be together forever."
"Juju was an old soul who had a knack for making any adult do exactly what he wanted. Even staring contests and telling you EXACTLY what he thought of you."
"Juju, that cheeky grin and even cheekier laugh will stick with us all forever. It will be the light that guides us all. Our mad dog forever."
A GoFundMe page was created by Clayton to support the grieving family, and has reached over $130,000 in donations.
The fundraiser reads, "In order to relieve the financial burden in this unsettling time we are raising funds for Chris' loving wife and Juju's incredible mama Maria."
"We hope to take away a small amount of the pressure as they process their grief. If you had the privilege to know this man - you know he was an incredibly loving Dad, supportive husband, loving son, grandson, big brother and a friend to so many."
"The way he lived his life full of joy, passion and drive was admirable and we should all be inspired to live the same, in honour of him."
Image credits: GoFundMe / LinkedIn