Driver Jailed for 11.5 Years After Fatal Street Race in Monterey Claims Lives of Two Boys – March 6, 2025

Incident Overview
A tragic street race crash that occurred in Monterey, Sydney , in August 2023 has resulted in a devastating loss of life and lifelong trauma for those involved. Jimmy Martin Brito, 34, was sentenced to 11 years and six months in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of manslaughter by criminal negligence and one count of causing bodily harm. The crash, which happened during a reckless high-speed race, claimed the lives of two young boys aged nine and ten and left a nine-year-old girl injured but alive.

The incident unfolded on The Grand Parade , a busy suburban road in Sydney’s south, where Brito’s Subaru Impreza reached speeds of up to 136 km/h before spinning out of control and slamming into a tree. Judge John Pickering described the crash as involving “utter destruction” and expressed shock that more lives were not lost. Brito will be eligible for parole in February 2031 , after serving a minimum of eight years behind bars.

Location and Time
The fatal crash occurred on The Grand Parade in Monterey , a suburb in Sydney’s south, during a busy Friday night in August 2023 . The high-speed race spanned an 8-kilometer route , weaving through residential streets with no clear start or finish line. The collision happened near a slight right-hand bend on the road, where Brito’s vehicle veered off course and collided with a tree.

The timing of the crash—on a Friday evening—meant the area was bustling with traffic, making the reckless behavior even more dangerous. The crash site quickly became a focal point of grief, with flowers and tributes left by community members mourning the loss of the two young boys.

Vehicles Involved
The crash involved two vehicles engaged in a deadly street race:

• A **Subaru Impreza** driven by Jimmy Brito, carrying three children: two boys (aged nine and ten) and a nine-year-old girl.
• An **Audi** driven by Adam Yurun, 25, who is contesting charges of aiding and abetting manslaughter in connection with the crash.

Brito’s Subaru reached speeds exceeding 140 km/h at times during the race, far above the legal limit for a residential area. Mobile phone footage taken by one of the children inside Brito’s car captured parts of the race, showing the reckless speeds and erratic driving that ultimately led to the fatal crash.

Crash Description
According to court documents and evidence presented during sentencing, Brito and Yurun engaged in what Judge John Pickering described as an “ad hoc” street race. The drivers appeared to focus on outperforming each other, weaving in and out of traffic without regard for safety. At one point, Brito overtook Yurun’s Audi at high speed on The Grand Parade, moments before losing control of his vehicle.

The Subaru spun out of control on a slight right-hand bend and slammed into a tree with catastrophic force. The impact caused significant damage to the vehicle, leaving it unrecognizable. Emergency services arrived promptly, but the two boys succumbed to their injuries shortly after being transported to the hospital. The surviving girl sustained minor injuries but continues to suffer from ongoing trauma, including nightmares and stress related to the crash.

Judge Pickering noted the sheer devastation caused by the crash, stating it was a “miracle” only two lives were lost. He emphasized the vulnerability of the children, who had no ability to comprehend the danger they were in or take action to protect themselves.

Injuries/Fatalities

• Two boys, aged nine and ten, tragically died in the hospital shortly after the crash.
• A nine-year-old girl survived the crash but sustained minor injuries and continues to experience psychological trauma, including nightmares and difficulty celebrating milestones like birthdays and Christmas without her best friends.

No other individuals were injured in the crash, though the emotional toll on the families and community has been profound.

Emergency Response
Emergency services, including paramedics and police, responded swiftly to the scene after receiving reports of the crash. Paramedics worked to stabilize the injured girl and transport her to the hospital for treatment. Tragically, the two boys could not be revived and were pronounced dead at the scene.

Police secured the area and conducted a thorough investigation, examining skid marks, vehicle debris, and witness statements. Mobile phone footage taken by one of the children provided critical evidence of the street race and the moments leading up to the crash. Investigators also reviewed the continuity of the race over the 8-kilometer route to piece together the events.

Community Impact
The crash has left an indelible mark on the Monterey community and the families of the victims. In victim impact statements, the boys’ parents described the unimaginable pain of being called to the hospital to identify their sons, still dressed in their school uniforms. On the way home, they were struck by the sight of the crumpled wreckage at the crash site, which made the tragedy all the more real.

“It was clear why they had not survived,” the mother said, reflecting on the devastation caused by the crash.

The surviving girl, in her own statement, expressed her inability to forgive Brito:

“I’ll never forgive him for what he has done or ever face him again.”

Residents have raised concerns about the prevalence of street racing in suburban areas, urging authorities to enforce stricter penalties and increase public awareness campaigns to prevent similar tragedies. Flowers and tributes continue to be left at the crash site as a testament to the community’s grief and solidarity with the grieving family.

Investigation and Sentencing
The Forensic Crash Unit conducted a detailed investigation into the crash, focusing on several key areas:

• The actions of both drivers leading up to the crash, including their speeds and adherence to road rules.
• Potential contributing factors such as distraction, recklessness, or peer pressure during the street race.
• Road conditions and visibility at the time of the crash.

During sentencing, Judge John Pickering condemned Brito’s behavior, describing it as a “very serious example of manslaughter.” He referenced another high-profile case involving Samuel Davidson, who killed four children in 2020, to highlight the gravity of Brito’s actions.

Key points from the sentencing include:

• Brito’s sentence was reduced by **35%** due to his guilty plea and agreement to testify against Yurun in the upcoming trial.
• The judge rejected claims that the children’s reactions (excitement or fear) influenced Brito’s mental state or justified his actions.
• Brito’s parole eligibility begins in **February 2031**, with his full sentence concluding in **2035**.

Contributing Factors
While the investigation is ongoing, potential contributing factors include:

• Excessive speed, with Brito’s Subaru reaching up to **136 km/h** in a residential area.
• Reckless street racing with no regard for passenger safety, particularly minors.
• Brito’s prioritization of competition over responsibility, despite being unaffected by drugs or alcohol.
• Road conditions, such as the slight bend on The Grand Parade, which contributed to the loss of control.