Kristie, Kryscina Merrett: Driver charged in death of James Edds is a single mother

A woman allegedly four times over the legal alcohol limit when she got behind the wheel of her Lexus SUV and killed a nine-year-old boy is a successful tattoo artist and single mother of three.

Kristie Fiona Anne Merrett, 51, reportedly plowed into a Toyota sedan after failing to stop at a give way sign at the intersection of Mort St and George Evans Rd in Killarney Vale, on the NSW Central Coast, at 12.45pm on Wednesday.

James Lachlan Edds was in the Toyota with his mother, Anastasia – they were on their way to the shops to spend his Christmas money on new football boots.

Rescuers had to free him from the wreckage before he was flown to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle with serious head injuries. He fought for his life for three days, but sadly died on Saturday.

Ms Merrett – who lives in Bellingen on the NSW Mid North Coast but was visiting relatives on the Central Coast – was charged with four serious traffic offenses before facing Newcastle Bail Court on Thursday.

However, investigators added six more charges after James’ death over the weekend, including aggravated dangerous driving resulting in death and dangerous driving resulting in drunken death.

She was released on strict conditional bail to Bellingen, where Daily Mail Australia can reveal that she is a popular tattoo artist who goes by the name of Kryscina Merrett.

Ms. Merrett regularly hosts solo art exhibitions to showcase her large oil paintings, including a 2017 exhibition called “The Ephemeral Art of Krys Merrett” (she is pictured at the opening of the exhibition)

James Lachlan Edds was in the Toyota with his mother, Anastasia (pictured together) at the time of the alleged accident

According to a 2017 interview in Focus, a local arts and culture magazine, Ms. Merrett moved into the community in 2001 as a single mother of three and joined small tattoo parlors in nearby Coffs Harbour.

She also periodically hosts solo art exhibitions to showcase her large oil paintings, including a 2017 exhibition called “The Ephemeral Art of Krys Merrett” – she was supported by her father and two adult sons at the opening.

In her magazine interview, she said, “I find the world very superficial, with little relevance or support for humans or our evolution.”

“Somehow art softens the blow of the harsh realities of life and the world around us.”

She described her work as “symbolic, eternally feminine and fertile.”

“Other symbols I use are opium poppies, which represent the unconscious and a deep dream state.

“In one of my paintings I use leafed poppies, which is essentially about cutting through the unconscious and making it more visible.”

James Lachlan Edds (pictured) died Saturday after an alleged car accident three days earlier

James’s aunt, Nicole Micos, confirmed news of the boy’s death on Sunday, saying he had “fought so hard” to the end

Ms Merrett said she loved tattooing because it allowed her to interact with people from all walks of life, and she considers it a “privilege to be allowed into the life and the loves and sometimes the sorrows and sorrows of these people’.

James’ mother Anastasia Edds was taken to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle with minor injuries.

His death was announced on social media by his aunt, Nicole Micos, on Sunday.

“Unfortunately, James was taken from us much too soon,” she wrote.

Ms Micos said her cousin – who was an only child – “fought so hard” to the end, which was “a testament to how strong and resilient little James was.”

“If you were lucky enough to have met James you would know how much of an incredible little legend he was.

“James loved kicking a ball with mom, jumping on the trampoline with his mates, eating yiayias cheesecake, playing monopoly and Uno with dad and much more.”

James was in a car with his mother Anastasia on their way to the shops to buy new shoes when their vehicle was reportedly hit by an SUV

She also thanked the hospital’s medical team for working “tirelessly” to support James for the rest of his life.

Ms. Merrett gave a positive roadside breath test after the accident.

She was then taken to a police station and blew 0.197. The legal limit in Australia is 0.05.

Her initial charges included driving under the influence of alcohol, possession of drugs, aggravated dangerous driving and negligent driving.

After the schoolboy’s death, investigators increased her charges to aggravated dangerous driving resulting in death and dangerous driving resulting in drunken death.

She was granted conditional bail in Newcastle local court and will return to court on January 27.

Ms. Micos also launched a GoFundMe campaign to support the Edds family.