Grace Veronica Taylor admits causing crash that killed Ivy-Rose Hughes

A young woman has sobbed in the dock as she admitted causing the McLaren Vale crash that killed her best friend, Ivy-Rose Hughes, and injured five others.

A young woman has admitted causing the crash that killed her best friend and injured five others.

Grace Veronica Taylor, 22, of North Haven, arrived at the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday flanked by family.

Once inside the dock, she sobbed as she pleaded guilty to six charges including one count of causing the death of her passenger, 19-year-old netballer Ivy-Rose Hughes.

Through tears, she also pleaded guilty to two counts of causing serious harm by dangerous driving and three counts of causing harm by dangerous driving.

Grace Veronica Taylor outside court in August. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

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

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.

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

She played in the Premier League squad and represented the state in the South Australian Institute of Sport (SASI) 17 and Under National Championships from 2019 to 2020.

The Matrics Netball Club had posted on Facebook, remembering the “bright spark” who was “much loved throughout our club.”

After her death, Ms Hughes’ mother, Paula, wrote a letter saying she was a proud mum to her daughter, who “left an everlasting impression” on all those she met.

“I will miss you terribly but I am at peace knowing that although you lived 19 years, you had a full life and you’re with all of us now with your angel wings up above, working on making the world a better place,” she said.

Taylor returns to court in January.