Peter William Martin sentenced for highway crash that killed Emily Barnett

Tragic details of a head-on collision that killed a young woman and left her friend with significant injuries have been revealed in the sentencing of the man responsible for the crash.

In what has been described as a “harrowing” head-on crash on the Bruce Highway, a 21-year-old woman tragically lost her life while her friend in the passenger seat suffered life-changing injuries.

The man responsible for the crash, Peter William Martin, was on Wednesday sentenced in the Caloundra Magistrates Court to a suspended term of imprisonment.

Police prosecutor Amanda Brewer said the incident that took young Emily Barnett’s life was a “tragic” set of circumstances where Martin’s careless driving had fatal consequences.

The court heard Martin, 58, was driving his Mitsubishi Triton on May 29, 2020, at Midgee towards Rockhampton when he came to a right-hand bend in the road.

Peter William Martin (centre)

Martin was seen by a witness to cross the centre lines as he turned the corner, colliding head on with a Toyota Rav4 travelling in the opposite direction.

“The witness did not see any brake lights or indicators being used by the defendant as he crossed the centre line,” Sergeant Brewer said.

Driving the Toyota was Miss Barnett who was killed as a result of the collision, while her friend Emily Reed was rushed to hospital with “extensive” injuries.

A victim impact statement from Emily’s sister was read aloud in court, detailing the significant impact the fatal crash caused to her family.

Emily Barnett, 21, tragically lost her life in a crash on the Bruce Highway near Rockhampton.

“Emily was one of the only best friends I was guaranteed to have for life, I didn’t realise it would be this lonely without her or that it wouldn’t get any easier,” the statement read.

“I died the moment Emily died … I feel nothing, like I’m the empty shell of a human and I don’t think that is going to change.”

Martin’s solicitor Rowan King said his client had spent 35 days in intensive care at the Princess Alexandra Hospital with significant spinal and brain injuries as well as a broken collarbone and crushed feet.

Mr King said the truck driver suffered a period of amnesia and couldn’t recall any details of the incident.

Emily Barnett's family left a heartbreaking tribute to her by the side of the Bruce Highway.

The court heard Martin’s two daughters are of similar age as Miss Barnett, which he struggled with.

Martin appeared in court on crutches and pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention causing death and driving without due care and attention causing grievous bodily harm.

Magistrate Catherine Benson said Martin had a momentary lack of attention.

“That has then had the most serious and awful consequences for your family and two other families,” Ms Benson said.

Martin was sentenced to six months prison, suspended immediately for two years.