Sean Brogan faces court for death of wife in Burnett region car crash

A family tragedy reached its terrible conclusion this week when a Hervey Bay grandfather was convicted in a Bundaberg court of causing the car accident that killed his wife.

Jaras Brogan was killed instantly when the Toyota Landcruiser driven by her husband rolled down an embankment in the Burnett region.

A family tragedy reached its terrible conclusion on Thursday when Hervey Bay grandfather Sean Brogan was convicted in Bundaberg Magistrates Court of causing the car accident that killed his wife, and left him with serious injuries.

The court heard that at around 2:30pm on July 9, 2021 Brogan, 55 and his wife Jaras, 54 were travelling from Bundaberg to New Moonta when their white Toyota Landcruiser rolled down an embankment and into a riverbed on Gin Gin-Mt Perry Road at Moolboolaman.

Jaras wife was killed instantly, while Brogan suffered serious injuries.

Police prosecutor Claire Bibby told the court that police visited Brogan’s address on October 12, 2021 and he fully co-operated with their investigation.

“The defendant said he could not recall any details about the crash, and could not give any reason as to why his vehicle travelled on to the road shoulder and that if he could trade places with his wife, he would have,” she said.

“Everyone was wearing seatbelts and speed was not a factor of this crash.”

Police said they discovered three sets of tyre marks in the westbound lane consistent with excessive steering which placed the Toyota into a yaw.

Brogan was charged with driving without due care and attention causing death.

He told the court he was his wife’s carer for three years and tearfully recalled the final moments leading up to the crash.

“My wife and I went to Bundaberg on the way back, I just remember that white truck coming and I swerved,” he said.

“I had crushed vertebrae, a hole in my chest, blood on the brain and I was diagnosed with PTSD.”

Brogan told the court he wanted to keep his licence.

“The offence before the court is a serious one, the allegation that you pleaded guilty to, is a consequence of you driving without due care and attention when your vehicle passed on to the road and you lost control,” Magistrate Trinity McGarvie said.

“Because of the circumstances of aggravation that someone was killed as a result of the incident, your licence must be disqualified for at least a minimum period of six months.

“I’m going to reduce the punishment I impose upon you to reflect the fact that the plea of guilty was entered into at the very first opportunity and that is reflective of the fact that your remorse is genuine.

“I am persuaded that one of the principles that I must apply in sentencing you today is the principle of general deterrence to the general community and the seriousness of the obligation that is imposed on drivers for due care and attention for the safety of other road users.”

Ms McGarvie also took into account that Brogan had never been before the court for a driving offence.

Brogan’s licence was disqualified for six months and he was sentenced to three months jail, suspended for nine months.

A conviction was recorded.