Jessica May Siobhan Wooldridge sentenced to prison

The driver convicted over a car crash that killed 19-year-old Tasmin Randall on the Sunshine Coast more than two years ago will spend 18 months in prison. Read the full story.

Maroochydore Court House. Photo:Barry Leddicoat / Sunshine Coast Daily

There were emotional scenes in the Maroochydore Courthouse on Monday, May 22 as a Sunshine Coast woman was sentenced to prison over the death of her 19-year-old friend in a car crash in Mons.

Jessica May Siobhan Wooldridge, 26 appeared in the Maroochydore District Court on Monday where she pleaded guilty to one charge of dangerously operate or interfere with the operation of a vehicle causing death or grievous bodily harm.

Wooldridge was driving herself and her 19-year-old friend Tasmin Randall home after having drinks at the Buderim Tavern on December 9, 2020 when she lost control of the car at Mons and crashed into a power pole.

Tasmin was knocked unconscious in the crash and later died in the Sunshine Coast University Hospital on December 13, 2020.

District Court Judge Vicki Loury KC described the teenage victim’s injuries to the court as “catastrophic”.

Jessica May Siobhan Wooldridge

Crown Prosecutor Sarah Dennis told the court Wooldridge was affected by cannabis and methamphetamine at the time of the crash, as well as having had alcohol before getting behind the wheel of Tasmin’s Holden Astra.

The victim’s family were present in the courtroom during the sentencing, with the 19-year-old’s mother reading an emotional victim impact statement to the court, describing the loss of her daughter as “unbearable”.

“My worst nightmare, the one no parent ever wants to go through was about to happen to me,” Ms Randall said.

“I have unbearable grief that will never go away, the constant need to touch her, talk to her and just to hold my daughter in my arms.”

Ms Randall said her eldest daughter will always be remembered as a funny and loving daughter, sister, granddaughter and friend, who was looking forward to returning to her job in Japan after visiting family on the Sunshine Coast.

“She was kind, she was caring and had a generous nature about her, she had a funny sense of humour, she was very cheeky character that would light up anyone’s life,” she said.

“Her supportive, adventurous soul will be missed beyond words.”

Wooldridge was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment to be suspended after serving 18 months behind bars.