Trial begins for accused Port River Expressway killer driver Carlie Richards arguing mental incompetence defence
The woman accused of killing a young artist in a crash while on meth will be comparing some of her case to Harrison Kitt’s to argue a mental incompetence defence.
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The woman accused of killing a young artist in a crash will be comparing some of her case to Harrison Kitt’s to argue a mental incompetence defence.
Carlie Eileen Richards, 40, is standing in the District Court this week after allegedly causing the horrific collision while on meth.
On Tuesday, Richards pleaded guilty to leaving the accident scene after causing death and harm by careless driving.
However, Paul Charman for Ms Richards, told the court his client would be pleading not guilty to four charges, including causing death and harm by dangerous driving, on the basis of mental incompetence.
He said there would be some reliance on the decision of Mr Kitt – the driver who killed senior police officer Joanne Shanahan and mother Tania McNeill while travelling at 167km/h and on the incorrect side of the road in 2020.
He was found not guilty of causing the women’s deaths by reason of mental incompetence.
Rob Walker, for the prosecution, told the court Ms Richards, who had a small quantity of meth in her system, was driving a motor vehicle on the Port River Expressway on November 1, 2022.
“She was driving well in excess of the posted speed limit, which was 90km/h, and which changed shortly before she was involved in a collision to 60km/h,” he said.
The court heard for 13 seconds leading up to the collision Richards drove at an average speed of 157km/h.
She rear-ended a Toyota Prius that was driving in front of her, which “catapulted” into an oncoming lane of traffic, hitting a Kia Cerato and then a truck immediately after.
Lisa Hoy was driving the Prius, with her twin sister Erica in the front passenger seat and Erica’s boyfriend, Michael Reader in the rear seat.
“Erica Hoy … died as a result of the intrusion of the truck on the oncoming lane,” Mr Walker said.
The court heard Lisa suffered several injuries, including damage to her pelvis and kidney and a broken nose.
Mr Reader suffered broken ribs and injuries to his lungs, liver, kidney and pelvis, while the Kia driver also suffered harm.
Mr Charman said the facts of the offending were accepted but they would argue whether Richards knew the conduct was wrong and would be calling evidence from a doctor.
The trial before Judge Carmen Matteo continues.
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