Friends and strangers have rallied around a Brisbane mother who lost her four-year-old son and husband, the ‘provider for their family,’ in a road crash on Australia Day.
Chris Vrbesic was driving his classic Holden Commodore sedan with their son Julian when his car collided with another vehicle at an intersection in Ransome, Brisbane, on Sunday morning.
Mr Vrbesic, 37, from Manly West, died at the scene, while little Julian was rushed to Queensland Children’s Hospital but later died from his injuries.
The classic car community, of which Mr Vrbesic was an avid member, has stepped up to help his widow Maria and the couple’s two surviving children Myla and Vinnie.
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 and you better not dance to his song ‘Pump It Up’ or else!
Chris Vrbesic (pictured with wife Maria and their children) died at the scene, while little Julian was rushed to Queensland Children’s Hospital and later died from his injuries
A GoFundMe fundraising page has been launched to support Maria, and on Wednesday morning had surpassed $100,000 in donations
Mr Vrbesic was a project manager for construction firm Innate Developments. He was also an automotive enthusiast and a regular patron of car and motorcycle gatherings
‘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 fundraising page has been launched to support Maria, and on Wednesday morning, it had already surpassed $108,000 in donations.
‘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,’ said page organiser Brittany Claxton.
‘We hope to take away a small amount of the pressure as they process their grief.
‘Chris inspired so many to live their life and follow their dreams – as he did,’ she said.
‘He brought people together with his passion for cars and cruising.
‘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.
‘He was always smiling, cracking sarcastic jokes and ALWAYS lending a helping hand.
Photos from the scene of the Sunday crash showed Mr Vrbesic’s blue Holden severely damaged and pushed onto its side
The driver and sole occupant of the red Mitsubishi, a 29-year-old Birkdale man, was taken to hospital with minor injuries
‘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.’
Mr Vrbesic was a project manager for construction firm Innate Developments. He was also an motoring enthusiast and a regular patron of car and motorcycle gatherings.
Photos from the scene of the Sunday crash showed his blue Holden severely damaged and pushed onto its side.
A red Mitsubishi Lancer – the other car involved in the crash – had frontal damage. It’s understood the two cars T-boned at an intersection.
The driver and sole occupant of the red Mitsubishi, a 29-year-old Birkdale man, was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
The Queensland Police Forensic Crash Unit has launched an investigation into the crash and is trying to determine if speed was a factor.
