Grace Veronica Taylor given suspended sentence for ‘dreadful mistake’ that killed young netballer Ivy-Rose Hughes
Grace Taylor’s “catastrophic error of judgment” cost the life of talented teen netballer Ivy-Rose Hughes – and her stepsister says there was “no justice” in the court’s penalty.
South
Don't miss out on the headlines from South . Followed categories will be added to My News.
An Adelaide judge has spared a young driver jail for causing a horror crash that killed her friend and injured several others, branding it a dreadful tragedy.
Ivy-Rose Hughes’ stepsister-in-law said outside court there was “no justice for our beautiful Ivy” after Grace Veronica Taylor received a suspended sentence.
On Tuesday, the Adelaide District Court suspended Taylor’s prison term of three years and 11 months, on condition she sign a two-year, $100 good behaviour bond.
Taylor, 22, was driving a Mazda CX-3 on the way home from a concert at a winery when she collided with a Mitsubishi ute at the intersection of Binney Rd and Main Rd, McLaren Vale, shortly after 10pm on February 24.
Both cars rolled down an embankment.
Nineteen-year-old Ivy-Rose, who died from blunt head trauma, was remembered after her death as a talented netballer who played for the prestigious Matrics Netball Club.
“Despite the depth of her grief, Ivy’s mother found it in her heart to tell you that she wanted you to overcome what happened,” Judge Joana Fuller said during sentencing.
The North Haven woman had pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious harm by dangerous driving.
Last month, Ivy-Rose’s mother Paula Blagrove told the court: “Emotionally and mentally we are destroyed and our lives are changed forever ... we will never see her light up the room with her smile and personality.”
The other driver involved in the crash, Kristen Zwartz, alongside his pregnant wife and young son, told the court last month they extended their forgiveness to Taylor.
Taylor’s two other friends and her boyfriend were also in the car she was driving and suffered injuries.
The court heard Taylor’s friend, who was in the car ahead of them, had also failed to give way at the same intersection.
“Had the vehicle in front of you given way, you would no doubt have done the same and the accident would have been avoided,” Judge Fuller said.
The court heard Taylor had a traumatic past, including her father dying by suicide when she was 19.
Judge Fuller said Taylor was an upstanding member of the community who had made a “dreadful mistake”.
She sentenced Taylor to three years and 11 months in jail, with a non-parole period of two years.
But due to Taylor’s remorse and clean record, the sentence was suspended. Taylor was also disqualified from driving for 12 years.
“This accident was and will forever remain a tragedy that has altered the course of your life and of the life and dreams of a young woman,” she said.
“Two drivers made the same mistake almost simultaneously and yet the consequences for one of them – you – and as a result so many others, were catastrophic.”
Outside court, Ivy-Rose’s stepsister-in-law, Wendy Williams told reporters there had been no justice in the sentence.
“Today’s decision sends a message to the community that dangerous driving resulting in a death will only be a loss of licence and $100,” she said.
“Our hearts will be forever broken. We are unforgiving of the preventable crime.”
Taylor’s lawyer, Craig Caldicott told reporters the case was a tragedy and Taylor was one of the best people he had represented.
“It’s one of the saddest cases I’ve ever been involved in my 40-odd years of practice,” he said.
‘It was me, sir’: Expert unpacks bloodied killer’s confession
It was the shock moment caught on camera of a “dishevelled” Cody Edwards in the aftermath of killing Synamin Bell. Watch the footage and see the expert analysis.
Prominent GP resigns: Who is Dr Taylor?
A prominent South East GP has resigned after restrictions were placed on his registration – but who is Dr Jeffrey Taylor?