Phillip Williams pleads guilty over fatal crash causing death of wife

A retired mental health nurse was exploring a Central Queensland town with the love of his life when he caused the crash that claimed her life at a “notorious” intersection.

Andergrove man Phillip Williams (middle) leaves Mackay courthouse after pleading guilty to driving without due care and attention causing death over fatal crash that tragically claimed the life of his wife on August 5, 2022 at Anakie Siding. Picture: Janessa Ekert

A retired mental health nurse was exploring a Central Queensland town with the love of his life when he caused a fatal crash that claimed her life at a “notorious” intersection.

It happened in a matter of seconds on August 4, 2022 at Anakie Siding.

Andergrove father of two Phillip Williams drove through a give way sign on Anakie Sapphire Rd at the Capricorn Highway intersection about 12.30pm.

Mackay Magistrates Court heard he was not speeding and in fact had slowed down, but failed to give way.

The driver of an Isuzu towing a caravan had no time to react and collided with the front passenger side of Williams’s Subaru, where his wife Anne Williams was seated.

She suffered the full force of the impact and tragically died at the scene.

Andergrove man Phillip Williams (left) leaves Mackay courthouse after pleading guilty to driving without due care and attention causing the death of his wife on August 5, 2022 at Anakie Siding. Picture: Janessa Ekert

“Unfortunately good people do sometimes make mistakes,” solicitor Steven Hayles said.

The court heard Williams, 68, had a good traffic history and was considered a “well regarded and upstanding member of the community”.

“There’s no suggestion of speed, no suggestion of tiredness … there’s no suggestion of alcohol, he did slow down at a giveway sign, he just missed the other car,” Magistrate Damien Dwyer said.

The heartbroken husband pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention causing the death of his wife.

Mr Dwyer said the crash was not deliberate, but occurred because of “momentary inattention which has caused to you the greatest price you could possibly pay … and your family”.

Williams’s solicitor Steven Hayles, of Macrossan and Amiet, said his client was well regarded in the community but even good people make mistakes. Picture: Janessa Ekert

The court heard while it was a very serious charge, Williams’s criminality was at the bottom end for that type of offending.

Mr Hayles said his client’s mental health had suffered since the tragedy and he had engaged with a counsellor.

The court heard he also completed the Road and Traffic Education program earlier this month.

Mr Hayles also tendered a media report indicating the “notoriety” of the intersection where the fatal crash occurred and said his client had been unfamiliar with the area.

He and his wife were in the region visiting family and “were just going for a drive to see Anakie”.

“Good people sometimes don’t pay the attention that they’re required to or maybe careless,” Mr Hayles said.

“Good drivers make mistakes,” Mr Dwyer added.

Williams’s licence was disqualified for six months. Picture: Janessa Ekert

“Unfortunately for Mr Williams the consequences here had been drastic – he’s lost his life partner for the past 43 years,” Hr Hayles said.

“There’s also been suffering for his family. He’s trying to do his best to help them at this time.”

Prosecutor Sheena Hayes told the court Williams entered a very early guilty plea and had suffered greatly, recommending a wholly suspended jail term.

Williams was instead fined $4000 and a conviction was recorded. He was also banned from driving for six months.