James Warburton's father was man killed in Willoughby ute crash Richard Warburton was killed when the driver of a ute lost control and mounted the footpath striking him. Picture: Chris Barlow of Northside Creative Photography Source: Supplied AN ELDERLY man killed while walking to his early morning pilates class was the father of former Channel Ten chief James Warburton. Richard Warburton, 74, was fatally struck by an out-of-control utility which mounted a footpath at Willoughby yesterday morning. Mr Warburton had driven from his Roseville home, and parked his car near the Willoughby Rd exercise studio he attends several times a week, when the horrific accident happened, about 7am. Today in a statement, his family said Mr Warburton was a ``lover of life, so tragically taken from us so suddenly. ``His wife, his children and his six grandchildren were his greatest love and passion. He will be sorely missed but not forgotten," the statement said. The driver of the ute, Michael Byres, 31, was arrested at the scene. According to a statement released by police, witnesses said they saw a ute travelling north cross a number of lanes of traffic before leaving the roadway. The vehicle hit a garbage bin and street sign, before hitting the 74-year-old man. Following the crash, Byres was detained by police for mandatory blood and urine testing. His mobile phone was also seized for examination. During the course of their inquiries, crash investigators became aware of a possible cache of firearms, weapons and cash at the Coogee apartment Byres shares with Morris. Police searched his apartment in Arden Street in Coogee on Tuesday night, where they allegedly uncovered a cache of weapons, including a Blackhawk Ruger .357 magnum revolver, a Colt Defender pistol, two imitation pistols and five flintlock-style antique pistols. Detectives also seized thousands of rounds of ammunition and two sets of nunchakkas, as well as drugs. Byres appeared briefly in Waverley Court today before Magistrate Julie Huber where he pleaded not guilty to 29 charges. He has been refused bail on the firearm, drug and stolen property charges which are unrelated to the death of the man. Byres' flatmate, Ian Morris, 31, was also refused bail by Magistrate Huber after he pleaded not guilty to 24 charges relating to unauthorised firearms, drug and protected fauna possession. The father of two young daughters has been accused of keeping four albino red-eared turtles in his home, as well as snakes. Morris, who wore a Lonsdale-brand hooded-jumper in court, was only in court last month for possessing another prohibited weapon where he was let off without a conviction being recorded because it was his first offence. The police prosecutor told Waverley court that Morris did not hold any form of firearms licence or have any guns registered in his name but his name was on the lease for the apartment where the guns were found. She argued Morris should remain in custody for the protection of the community because the charges he was facing were "very serious." Morris' legal aid solicitor said his mother Jennifer Patricia Morris from Sanctuary Point near Nowra was willing to put up $20,000 surety and was willing to have her son stay at her home. She told the court Morris was amicably separated from the mother of his two children, aged 4 and 2. He was willing to surrender his passport and abide by a 24-hour curfew, but Magistrate Huber declined his application for bail saying there appeared to be a strong prosecution case. Magistrate Huber said it was concerning that Morris was in court only a month ago on a charge of possessing a prohibited weapon. Byres and Morris will be remanded until they are next in court on July 17.