Shelley Spinks: Heartbroken husband of nurse killed in Edgewater e-motorbike crash says it’s a ‘tragedy’

The heartbroken husband of a beloved nurse allegedly killed by a teenage e-motorbike rider says he fears more people will die in e-rideable collisions, saying the community cannot “continue repeating the mistakes of the past”. Shelley Spinks, 59, died after being struck by the 17-year-old rider while walking through Picnic Cove Park, in Edgewater, on the afternoon of July 26. The teen — who cannot be identified for legal reasons — was released on bail after being charged with a string of offences, including manslaughter. Ms Spinks’ husband, John Harris, released a heartbreaking statement on Tuesday, describing his wife’s sudden death as a “shock and a tragedy”. “Firstly, I want to thank the police for their support and kindness towards me during this very difficult time,” he said. “I also want to acknowledge the very difficult work they are called to do under very challenging circumstances and often in the face of derision and ingratitude. “The loss of my dear wife Shelley was both a shock and a tragedy in so many ways. “Many people’s lives have been negatively impacted by her death.” Mr Harris described his wife as an “excellent nurse” who was “respected and loved by so many of her colleagues”. “My wife was an excellent nurse and many people will now never be blessed to be cared for by her,” he said. “Her infectious smile was disarming and her dedication and diligence in everything she applied herself to was something increasingly difficult to find in today’s society.” Mr Harris said Australia needed to strengthen it’s laws around the high-powered devices. “Shelley’s life is not the first to end in this tragic manner and sadly I doubt will be the last,” he said. “As a society we must pause and reflect upon the kind of world we want to live in and begin making choices which result in us moving towards that world. “Let us choose to not continue repeating the mistakes of the past.” Police allege the 17-year-old was fleeing police on an unlicensed e-motorbike when he fatally struck Ms Spinks about 2.30pm. Officers activated their emergency lights and sirens in an attempt to stop the teen “approximately five minutes” before the crash. The chase was terminated due to public concerns, with police air wing continuing to monitor the teen from the air. Ms Spinks was rushed to Joondalup Health Campus — understood to be the same hospital where she worked. The teenager was released on bail last Tuesday, with Magistrate Alana Padmanabham saying she was satisfied he did not pose a risk to the community. “I have satisfied myself that there are conditions that I’ve imposed that you are not going to present a risk to the community,” she said at the time. The court heard the boy’s mum had bought him a Toyota Landcruiser to repair to “keep him busy”. He has been charged with manslaughter, driving an unregistered vehicle unlicensed, reckless driving to escape pursuit and failing to comply with a direction to stop for police. The teen has no criminal history, was not attending school and lived with his father. The court also heard the boy has been diagnosed with ADHD and was prescribed medical cannabis. It comes as Transport Minister Rita Saffioti revealed WA would take charge of drafting a national overhaul of e-rideables that could lead to high-powered vehicles being banned. Transport ministers from across the country met in Melbourne on Monday and agreed to develop a regulatory framework after a surge in deaths and serious injuries. A parliamentary inquiry was launched to examine the safety and regulation of the devices after Perth father, Thanh Phan, was tragically killed by an e-scooter while walking in the Perth CBD earlier this year.