Dr Jessica Cusumano claims fatigue a factor in fatal south coast crash

A young doctor has admitted tiredness was a factor in a crash where crashed into another car, killing a 97-year-old woman, after working 12-hour shifts for five days before the accident.

A young doctor had just finished her fifth consecutive overnight shift when she veered into oncoming traffic, killing a woman and critically injuring two others.

Now Jessica Cusumano has pleaded guilty to negligent driving occasioning death, and negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, admitting tiredness was a factor in the fatal crash.

The court heard she had just finished her fifth day of overnight shifts at Wollongong Hospital when she got behind the wheel on September 22, 2020, to drive home to Shoalhaven Heads.

Cusumano, now 33, had been working from 8.30pm to 8.30am that day, and in the four days prior.

As she drove along Gerroa Rd about 10am, Cusumano crossed onto the northbound side of the road, heavily colliding with a Kia Sportage being driven by Margaret Sutherland.

Her mother, 97-year-old Ivy Sutherland was in the back, while another woman, Glenys Jones was in the front passenger seat.

Jessica Cusumano (left) is accused of killing 97-year-old Ivy Sutherland in a crash. Picture: Lauren Ferri

The scene of the fatal accident on the south coast in September 2020. Picture: Nine News

The force of the horrific impact propelled the Kia clockwise, trapping all four of the women – including Cusumano – inside the two cars.

Margaret Sutherland and Ms Jones were flown to St George for emergency treatment after suffering life threatening injuries.

Ivy Sutherland tragically died at the scene. In a report obtained by The Sunday Telegraph, a coroner stated she suffered “massive” neck injuries.

“There were severe injuries to the left side of the neck and chest which were fatal,” the report read.

“There were also multiple pelvic fractures, rib fractures and limb fractures.”

Dr Jessica Cusumano admitted in court tiredness was a factor in the fatal crash.

The young doctor she worked five days of overnight shifts before the crash.

Court documents highlighted how tiredness was a factor.

“By her plea, (Cusumano) acknowledged she ought to have known there was a significant risk of falling asleep at the wheel,” court documents stated.

“Accordingly she drove in a manner involving departure from the standard of care expected of an ordinary, prudent driver in the circumstances.”

Margaret Sutherland and her friend Ms Jones spent an extended period of time in hospital following the crash, with a doctor stating Ms Sutherland had to be intubated and given a blood transfusion on the way to hospital.

“She also suffered the grief of losing her mother and the stress of having her friend also severely injured and transferred to another hospital,” a doctor stated in a report tendered to the court.

“This may have a long lasting psychological effect.”

Cusumano also suffered serious injuries and spent time in hospital. In her version of events, she told crash investigators she had “no memory” of passing a major intersection just prior to the crash.

“She had brief flashes of a white car in front of her and recalled trying very hard to get out of the way and feeling that something was very wrong,” court documents stated.

“She had no memory of the moment of impact.

“Her next memory was sitting inside her car and realising she was trapped.”

Cusumano, who is working as a doctor in Nowra, will face sentencing in April.

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