Reality TV personality charged over Aussie blogger's car-crash death
An American reality TV personality could face up to 15 years behind bars after being charged with the murder of Australian YouTube star Corey La Barrie, who was killed on his 25th birthday earlier this month.
Daniel Joseph Silva, from North Hollywood, was allegedly behind the wheel of his McLaren sports car when it crashed into a tree in Valley Village, a Los Angeles neighbourhood, on May 10.
The 26-year-old, who starred on US reality TV show Ink Master, was accused by the family of Mr La Barrie of being intoxicated at the time of the crash.
If convicted of murder, he will face a possible maximum sentence of 15 years to life in prison, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced on May 19.
Mr La Barrie was born in Adelaide, South Australia, and moved to California with his family at a young age.
He established himself a significant audience on YouTube after joining the platform in 2014, uploading prank style and lifestyle themed videos for nearly 400,000 subscribers.
His younger brother Jarrad La Barrie mourned his loss in a post to Instagram after the crash, thanking his older sibling for “being the best big brother” and that his life had been forever changed.
“My brother Corey passed away last night in a car accident with his (alleged) drunk friend driving...this is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do so I don’t how I’m suppose to do this without you
“I miss you so much already this isn’t fair thank you for always being the best big brother I could ask for, I love you so f***ing much, life’s never gonna be the same without you. RIP.
“PS say hi to grandad and grandma for me, I love you.”
A post shared by Daniel Silva (@danielsilva) on
Lissa Harrison, the brothers’ mum, also shared a heartbreaking post mourning the loss of her son to Instagram, saying “no words can describe the sadness I feel”.
“My heart breaks right now, on my son’s 25th birthday today he got into a car with a [alleged] drunk driver. The accident killed him instantly. No words can describe the sadness I feel in losing a child.
“It just feels so unreal and I’m overwhelmed with grief. I love you so much Corey and will miss you so so much. It’s just so unfair.”
The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department.
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