Grace Veronica Taylor jail decision over crash that killed Ivy-Rose Hughes

A judge said a woman’s crash that killed her friend and injured a pregnant woman was a cruel twist of fate. Now a decision has been made on her future.

The mother of the talented netballer who died in a tragic crash after a “catastrophic error of judgement” said her life has been changed forever.

Grace Veronica Taylor, 22, sobbed in the dock as she learnt she won’t be jailed for causing the death of 19-year-old Ivy-Rose Hughes.

Grace Veronica Taylor leaves the Adelaide District Court after hearing victim impact statements. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Taylor was driving a Mazda SUV, on the way home from a concert at a winery, when she collided with a Mitsubishi ute at the intersection of Binney and Main roads, McLaren Vale, shortly after 10pm on February 24.

Both cars rolled down an embankment.

In the Adelaide District Court on Friday, Craig Caldicott, for Taylor, said the car in front of Taylor’s had also failed to give way at the intersection.

Judge Joana Fuller agreed it was a cruel twist of fate.

“Had the driver in front of her realised it was give way and given way, then potentially none of this would have happened,” she said.

After her death, Ms Hughes was remembered as a talented netballer who played for the prestigious Matrics Netball Club.

Ivy-Rose’s mother, Paula Blagrove’s victim impact statement was read to the court.

She said her “one of a kind” daughter left an everlasting impression on everyone she met.

“As Ivy-Rose was my only child, I will never see her get married and have joy in becoming a grandmother,” she said.

“We will never see her light up the room with her smile and personality.”

Ms Blagrove said Ivy-Rose had aspirations of becoming a teacher to help students become the best version of themselves.

“Our lives will never be the same, emotionally and mentally we are destroyed and our lives are changed forever,” she said.

“All we have left are memories of a life once lived.”

Mother of Ivy-Rose Hughes, Paula Blagrove leaving the Adelaide District Court. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Ivy-Rose Hughes was killed in the crash at McLaren Vale. Picture: Matrics Netball Club

The other driver involved in the crash said his and his family’s life will never be the same.

“The painful feeling of watching my wife leave in an ambulance not knowing if our unborn son had or was going to make it,” he said.

The victims in the other car involved in the crash Taylor caused, who were left with serious injuries. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Mr Caldicott told the court Taylor elected to be the designated driver on the night and had no drugs or alcohol in her system when she crashed.

“My client was upside down, she was significantly injured,” he said.

“She is going to live with the horror of what happened for the rest of her life.”

The North Haven woman had pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious harm by dangerous driving.

Tali Costi, for the prosecution, said the accident was a stark reminder of the consequences of inattention on the road and pushed for a home detention sentence.

“There was more than one warning of that intersection approaching that was not seen by the defendant or the driver in front,” she said.

The court heard Taylor was incredibly remorseful for her “catastrophic error of judgement” and hasn’t driven since the crash.

Judge Fuller will sentence Taylor next month.

“I want you to know … that I will not be sending you to jail,” she said.