DEVASTATED teenaged P-plater Alex Richards expressed his regret and offered his deepest sympathies yesterday to the families ripped apart by the fatal Campvale accident on Sunday. The 17-year-old was told when he awoke on Tuesday morning that two of his passengers and friends, Sonja Hippele and Zara Schrepf, were dead. He was also told that three others had been critically injured in the two-car accident on Richardson Road, near Raymond Terrace, which shocked even experienced police. ‘‘He was absolutely devastated to find out what had happened,’’ his mother, Louise Richards, said yesterday. ‘‘We are all devastated. It is just horrible for everyone.’’ Mrs Richards has also called for calm after heavy criticism was being levelled at her son on social networking websites, including facebook. ‘‘People suggest that speed was a factor and then the assumptions are made that he was driving like an idiot,’’ Mrs Richards said. ‘‘We just need all that stuff to stop, there are people grieving here, and allow the police to continue their investigation. ‘‘It was dark, it was raining, there are so many things that could have contributed to it.’’ It is believed Alex was on his way to pick up his 16-year-old sister, Jadi, after collecting Zara, 14, from Mallabula, and Sonja, 14, from Salt Ash. His mate and front-seat passenger, Brendan Turvey, 17, was critically injured in the accident. Medowie Public School teacher-librarian Alison Partridge, 55, was listed last night as being in a critical condition. Her daughter, Heather, 28, was reportedly in a stable condition. Penning a letter offering her family’s deepest sympathies, Mrs Richards added that their thoughts continued to be with the Turvey and Partridge families. Tributes are being left on Facebook for Sonja Hippele and Zara Schrepf.