Alleged killer driver Seth Adrian Rigney to face up to life in jail for Korunye crash that killed Chloe Glasson and Shakeena Abdulla

A Wasleys man has heard he could face life in jail over the deaths of two young women in a horrific crash with a school bus at Mallala.

The man behind the wheel of a Ford sedan that allegedly drove into the path of an oncoming bus has heard he could face maximum life sentences if found guilty over the deaths of two young women, including his girlfriend.

Seth Adrian Rigney, 23, of Wasleys, has appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court as the Director of Public Prosecution confirmed the finalised charges he would be facing.

Mr Rigney is yet to enter pleas to two counts of aggravated causing death by dangerous driving, and aggravated causing harm by dangerous driving.

The 23-year-old faces the possibility of a maximum penalty of life imprisonment for both counts of causing death by dangerous driving and a licence disqualification for a mimimum 10 years.

Seth Adrian Rigney, 23, leaves the Adelaide Magistrates Court charged with the death of Chloe Glasson and Shakeena Abdulla by dangerous driving in a crash in February 2024 at Korunye. Picture : Roy VanDerVegt

The arrest came days after a Fuso bus and sedan collided at the intersection of Mallala Rd and Simpkin Rd on February 2, 2024.

Mr Rigney’s girlfriend – Ms Glasson, 19, from Elizabeth North – was sitting in the front passenger seat and died on the scene, while Ms Abdulla died four days later in hospital.

It was reported at the time that the group, and an additional car following them were heading to the Yorke Peninsula on a camping trip for Mr Rigney’s birthday.

The bus driver – who was heading to collect school children in Mallala – was also injured during the incident.

According to court documents released to The Advertiser, one of the SA Ambulance members who treated Mr Rigney after the crash told police he “stated he had taken cocaine either the night previously or earlier that morning”.

The documents allege Mr Rigney was driving along Simpkin Rd, a partially dirt road with a level crossing that meets Mallala Rd with a section of bitumen marked with a “Give Way” sign and painted line.

Chloe Emma Glasson was sitting in the passenger seat and died at the scene of the crash. Picture: Facebook

Shakeena Abdulla died from injuries sustained in the crash four days later in hospital. Picture: Supplied

The police statement from the bus driver included in the court documents recounted his version of events, and he allegedly remembered seeing the car “launched off the railway tracks, directly in front of him”.

Another statement included in the documents from an eye witness said that Mr Rigney’s car allegedly “wasn’t slowing down, she thought it may have sped up” in to the oncoming bus.

Emotional tributes for Ms Glasson and Ms Abdulla were shared on Facebook describing the loss of the friends as “unreal”.

Counsel for the 23-year-old Mr Rigney said that negotiations behind the scenes had begun.

“There have been some preliminary discussions about this, my friend may address there is some outstanding evidence that we are waiting on and I think both parties are seeking an adjournment,” he said.

Prosecutors were content to have negotiations marked on the file – meaning Mr Rigney may still enter a plea and preserve an early guilty plea discount of up to 15 per cent.

Mr Rigney will return to court in January to answer the charges.

Originally published as Alleged killer driver Seth Adrian Rigney to face up to life in jail for Korunye crash that killed Chloe Glasson and Shakeena Abdulla