Shakira Adams charged over Matthew McLuckie road death

A woman charged with manslaughter over the fatal crash which claimed the life of 20-year-old Matthew McLuckie was unable to appear at court for her first hearing. Here’s why.

CANBERRA Scene of the Hindmarsh Drive crash that killed 20-year-old Matthew McLuckie on May 19 2022. On December 22 2022 Shakira Adams was charged with offences including manslaughter and culpable driving causing death and will appear in court on February 7 2023. Ms Adams spent months in hospital following the crash. Police allege she was driving on the wrong side of the road in a stolen vehicle. Picture: ACT Policing.

The first appearance of a woman charged with manslaughter over a horror fatal crash that claimed the life of Matthew Mcluckie has been adjourned due to her ongoing health problems.

Police allege at 10:55pm on May 19, 2022, Bruce woman Shakira Adams, 20, drove in excess of 177km/h in a stolen car on the wrong side of the road when she crashed into Mr McLuckie’s car on Hindmarsh Ave, Red Hill.

A statement from ACT Policing alleged following the crash both Ms Adams and Mr McLuckie were transported to The Canberra Hospital with “significant” injuries.

Mr McLuckie succumbed to his injuries shortly after the crash, while Ms Adams remains in hospital.

Matthew McLuckie, the 20-year old victim of a crash at Hindmarsh Drive on May 19 2022. Picture: Supplied

Due to the severity of her injuries Ms Adams was only charged for the crash in late December.

She is facing charges of manslaughter, culpable driving negligently causing death, aggravated reckless driving, two counts of drug driving, two counts of unlicensed driving and two counts of driving a motor vehicle without consent.

Ms Adams was unable to attend the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday due to her health concerns.

Her lawyers applied for an adjournment, and raised concern about her fitness to plea.

Magistrate Louise Taylor granted the adjournment with the case to return to court next month.

Tom McLuckie, the father of Matthew McLuckie, said he wasn’t surprised the matter had to be adjourned. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai.

Matthew’s father Tom Mcluckie spoke outside of court and said he “wasn’t surprised” the case had to be adjourned.

“Its difficult but we’ve been prepared for today … this is a process we have to go through,” Mr Mcluckie said.

“From our understanding she was very badly injured.

“If she’s not fit to stand trial, it is what it is.”

Tom McLuckie shows off a tattoo in memory of his son Matthew McLuckie. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

The bereaved father sported a tattoo in memorial to his late son.

“The tattoo is in Matthew’s handwriting from a study sheet we found in his bag after the accident,” Mr McLuckie said.

“Out of all the quotes he could have picked he picked the Scottish Play, it’s a quote from Lady Macbeth- ‘what’s done is done’.

“For us that means a lot; we can’t change what’s happened in the past.

“(For Matthew’s legacy) we want to focus on what we can do to make a difference.

“We’re not vindictive.”