MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday 20 February 2024
The family and lawyers of Dunghutti teenager Jai Kalani Wright have welcomed a decision to lay criminal charges on the police officer whose car collided with the trail bike Jai was riding two years ago.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) charged the officer with dangerous driving occasioning death and negligent driving occasioning death.
The charges came about after a coronial inquest into Jai’s death was paused by State Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan, who referred the matter to the ODPP.
Jai died on 20 February 2022 after the collision the previous day. He was 16 years old.
Quotes attributable to Lachlan Wright and Kylie Aloua, parents of Jai Wright:
“We are emotional and relieved that charges have been laid. It’s been two years without our vibrant, beautiful son beside us. He was funny, witty, and loved by so many people.
“We ask our community and all of Jai’s supporters to hold back on comments about the case for now while the legal process plays out. Thank you to everyone for your support over these two tough years.”
Quotes attributable to Karly Warner, CEO of the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited:
“The Aboriginal Legal Service welcomes this important step towards accountability. We are proud to stand with Jai’s family.
“It is devastating to see the death of a child, a proud Dunghutti young man. The loss of Jai has rippled through our communities.
“Jai is one of at least 558 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have died in custody and police operations since the Royal Commission that was meant to stop this national shame.”
ENDS
Media contacts:
Alyssa Robinson [email protected] 0427 346 017
Bart Denaro [email protected] 0427 950 312
Both Alyssa and Bart can also be contacted at [email protected]
Jai’s family grant media permission to publish the below photo along with his name: