General News
20 November, 2023
Loss of a lovable larrikin
Kind, loving, respectful, and without a bad bone in his body - this is how the Pimpinio community described Trent DeZoete, who was tragically killed at a burnout competition in Stawell on November 4. Mr DeZoete, 18, was struck by a vehicle driven by...
Kind, loving, respectful, and without a bad bone in his body - this is how the Pimpinio community described Trent DeZoete, who was tragically killed at a burnout competition in Stawell on November 4.
Mr DeZoete, 18, was struck by a vehicle driven by a Wendouree man, 28, who allegedly lost control coming off the skid pad at 4.20pm. He is survived by parents Josh and Nicole, and younger brother Jamie.
Mourning the loss of their "lovable larrikin" who had played with the club for a decade, rising through the ranks from Auskick up to seniors, Pimpinio Football Netball Club hosted a community gathering for their teammate at the clubrooms last Tuesday.
Witness and teammate Austin Giusa told ABC radio he was traumatised by the incident.
"I was walking to get food and had just moved and replaced some orange traffic cones to help another vehicle to get out, when my girlfriend yelled for me and my mate to get out of the way," he said.
"We were almost hit. The driver had been competing and was coming off the skid pad when he lost control. He was yelling 'move, move' but ended up hitting Trent.
"We all ran over and lifted the car up as someone yelled to call the paramedics, but Trent was gone. It was horrendous.
"I'd played all my junior seasons, 6-7 years, with Trent. He was a very good bloke, good at footy and a lovely person who loved a yarn.
"He was a good, caring young boy who had a lot of respect for people."
Mr Giusa's comments were echoed by club vice president Brett Thompson, who coached Mr DeZoete in the junors for eight of his 10 years with the club.
"He was passionate, loud on the footy field at times, and was a man who wore his heart on his sleeve and enjoyed life," Mr Thompson said.
"As his dad said to me, Trent wouldn't have had a bad bone in his body."
Northern Grampians Shire Council Mayor Kevin Erwin described the news as "very sad" and extended his sympathy to Mr DeZoete's family and the club.
Major Collision Investigation Unit officers are investigating the fatality, and ask anyone with footage to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.