Jillian Phillips disqualified for life from driving after fatal motorcycle crash

A motorcyclist celebrating his recent engagement was killed after a momentary ‘misjudgment’ by a driver, who says she will never get behind the wheel again.

A 65-year-old woman who caused the death of a young motorcyclist in February last year has been sentenced in a Logan court for the tragic crash.

Jillian Phillips from Slacks Creek pleaded guilty in Beenleigh District Court to one count of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing the death of 30-year-old Bethania man Abel Prassler.

Mr Prassler had got engaged to girlfriend Sarah Olguin only months before the crash in December, 2020.

The afternoon of the February, 2021 crash, he was minutes away from his work at a Honda motorcycle dealership when he was struck by Phillips.

He was set to turn 31 two weeks later and family members expressed their devastation at the loss on social media.

“Blessings of the highest, beautiful cousin, you are safe in heavenly arms and surrounded with love,” said Melissa Stella.

The court heard that on February 5, 2021 in Underwood, Phillips was driving a red Nissan on Compton Road and turning right at the intersection onto Baker Street.

Mr Prassler, 30, was riding his Honda motorcycle heading straight and Phillips had to give way but did not see him and struck the rider as she was most of the way through her right turn.

The court heard Mr Prassler was travelling at 88 km/h in a 70 km/h zone and Phillips said she simply did not see the motorcyclist.

Jillian Phillips, Abel Prassler and paramedics at the Underwood crash

The court also heard Phillips had suffered severe psychological trauma since the accident and would never drive again.

She had one son, who supported her in court and was her only remaining family.

Phillip’s defence said she had led an exemplary life prior to the tragic accident and had worked for the past 16 years at the passports office.

Chief Judge Brian Devereaux SC watched dashcam footage of the crash, CCTV footage and looked at stills before he delivered his sentence.

He said Phillips’ mistake was not due to inattentiveness but was a misjudgment.

“Your driving caused the death of a motorcyclist, it’s difficult to know how you didn’t see him unless you were clearly not paying attention,” he said.

“For a short moment you made a terrible, fatal misjudgment about the speed the motorcyclist was travelling and how much time you had to turn.

“The rider’s speed reduces your culpability but it does not excuse your actions.”

Phillips was sentenced to two and a half years in prison with an immediate parole release date.

She was disqualified from driving absolutely (indefinitely) and a conviction was recorded.