Court suspends prison term of Natasha Vaye, who caused a crash that injured her son and left her mother disabled

A driver who missed three signs, hit a car and a truck at an intersection and injured her own family has narrowly avoided a prison term. See the footage here. Warning: Graphic

A nervous driver who missed three road signs, drove through an intersection and collided with a car and a truck, injuring her mother and child, has been banned from the roads for 10 years.

On Friday, the District Court suspended Natasha Vaye’s 22-month prison term on condition of a two-year, $100 good behaviour bond.

In sentencing, Judge Ian Press said Vaye, 36, of Devon Park, pleaded guilty to three counts of causing harm by dangerous driving over a crash at Davoren Park in August 2017.

Vaye was, he said, driving her mother and 17-month-old son back from her sister’s home but was “nervous” about being on Stebonheath Road which was “unfamiliar” to her.

“As you approached the intersection with Womma Road, you failed to see a large green sign that noted an intersection was ahead,” he said.

“You then failed to notice a yellow sign indicating there was an upcoming stop sign and the stop sign immediately before the intersection.

“As you crossed the intersection a truck was approaching from the left and a car from the right … you did not slow down at all.”

Natasha Vaye, right, with her lawyer Scott Roche outside the District Court. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Michael Marschall.

Judge Press said Vale was not speeding nor tired, and had neither drugs nor alcohol in her system at the time.

“The only explanation for your offending is that the collision occurred through gross inattention,” he said.

“Whether that was caused by your nervousness or what might be described as ‘zoning out’, or a combination of both, I do not know.”

He said Ms Vaye’s son had recovered from his injures but her mother was permanently physically and cognitively impaired and would require 24-hour care for the rest of her life.

Although Ms Vaye visited and cared for her daily, he said, the incident had fractured relationships within her family and her Liberian community.

“I accept you have demonstrated a significant degree of remorse and regret, and that you are reminded of the consequences of such driving every time you see your mother,” he said.

Judge Press said those “intense feelings of guilt” had pushed Vale to seek counselling and treatment, as well as undertaking driving courses.

“Your inattention, for about 10 seconds, has had a profound impact on the lives of many people … you clearly did not intend these consequences,” he said.

“I’m satisfied your remorse is genuine and heartfelt.”