Ruby Matilda Mortimer escapes jail after fatal crash claims Murwillumbah grandmother Sandra Kesler

A young Gold Coast mum on meth and cannabis who crashed into and killed an 80-year-old former teacher and grandma described by her son as a “passionate educator” near the Qld-NSW border has been sentenced.

Ruby Matilda Mortimer, 32, has escaped jail following the crash death of Mullumbimby local and former teacher Sandra Kessler on Tweed Valley Way on February 6, 2023.

A young Gold Coast mum on meth and cannabis who crashed into and killed an 80-year-old former teacher and grandma described by her son as a “passionate educator” near the Qld-NSW border has escaped imprisonment.

Ruby Matilda Mortimer, 32, faced Judge Craig Everson in Lismore District Court on Thursday for sentencing after pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing death and driving with illicit drugs in her system.

The charges stemmed from a February 6, 2023, collision which claimed the life of Sandra Kesler.

The crash occurred on the winding Tweed Valley Way in Dunbible, near Murwillumbah.

Mortimer’s car veered into the opposite lane, colliding head-on with Ms Kesler’s Honda Jazz.

Ruby Matilda Mortimer, 32, left and Sandra Kessler, 80.

According to agreed police facts, the impact caused Ms Kesler’s car to flip onto its side and slide into a safety railing.

Witnesses reported Mortimer was heard yelling, “What the hell happened?” and questioning if the other car had veered into her lane. Upon being told she had crossed into the other lane, Mortimer became distressed, later breaking down in tears when police informed her of Ms Kesler’s death at Lismore Base Hospital.

Ruby Matilda Mortimer was sentenced to an ICO at Lismore District Court on Thursday. Picture: File

Mortimer told police she had a “big falling out” with her partner’s parents and was “pretty distressed that morning”.

Crown prosecutor Brendan Campbell said Mortimer drove on a narrow, winding road when she should have known she was not in a fit state, emotionally or physically.

He said her mental state had led to a momentary lapse in attention, causing her to veer into Ms Kesler’s path with “tragic consequences”.

Mortimer’s lawyer said she was “sincerely and profoundly remorseful”.

The lawyer argued the crash was a “classic case of momentarily losing attention”.

Counsel suggested community service and an intensive correction order would be more effective for rehabilitation than imprisonment.

The court heard emotional victim impact statements describing Ms Kesler as a “unique gift of life” and “the glue who connected so many”.

Her son spoke of the profound loss, especially as it occurred the day before his birthday.

He described his mother as a “passionate life educator” who helped children, adults, and refugees, and campaigned for a “better world”. Friends highlighted her “integrity, compassion, curiosity, deep convictions,” and her role as a godmother.

Judge Everson convicted Mortimer and sentenced her to two years imprisonment, to be served as an intensive corrections order (ICO). Mortimer was disqualified from driving for two years for the dangerous driving offence and six months for the illicit drug charge.

A separate charge of negligent driving was withdrawn.

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Originally published as Ruby Matilda Mortimer escapes jail after fatal crash claims Murwillumbah grandmother Sandra Kesler