Carlie Eileen Richards found mentally incompetent over fatal Adelaide Port River Expressway crash

The crash left a young artist dead with a staggering speed recorded in the seconds before the tragic incident.

A judge has found a woman who caused a horror Port River Expressway crash, killing a young artist, did not know her conduct was wrong.

On Thursday, Judge Carmen Matteo said she found Carlie Eileen Richards, 40, was mentally incompetent to commit the offences.

She said she found on the balance of probabilities that at the time of driving at high speed prior to the collision, Richards was suffering from a mental impairment, namely an acute relapse of schizo-affective disorder.

“This caused her to experience a paranoid persecutory delusion, in consequence of which she did not know that her conduct was wrong,” Judge Matteo said.

Carlie Eileen Richards in her police interview. Picture: Courts SA

Erica Hoy was killed in a road crash on the Port River Expressway . Picture: Facebook

Richards pleaded not guilty to causing death and harm by dangerous driving, after admitting the objective elements but claiming she was suffering from delusions at the time.

However, she has pleaded guilty to leaving the accident scene after causing death and harm by careless driving.

Rob Walker, for the prosecution, previously told the court Richards, who had a small quantity of meth in her system, was driving a motor vehicle on the Port River Expressway on November 1, 2022.

The court heard for 13 seconds leading up to the collision Richards drove at an average speed of 157km/h.

Dashcam footage shows Richards overtaking a vehicle at speed, before rear-ending a Toyota Prius, which “catapulted” into an oncoming lane of traffic, hitting a Kia Cerato and then a truck immediately after.

Lisa Hoy was driving the Prius, with her twin sister Erica in the front passenger seat and Erica’s boyfriend, Michael Reader in the rear seat.

“Erica Hoy … died as a result of the intrusion of the truck on the oncoming lane,” Mr Walker said.

Carlie Richards during her arrest. Picture: Courts SA

Carlie Richards as she was arrested. Photo: Courts SA

Erica Hoy was killed in the crash while her sister was injured. Picture: Facebook

The court heard Lisa suffered several injuries, including damage to her pelvis and kidney and a broken nose.

Mr Reader suffered broken ribs and injuries to his lungs, liver, kidney and pelvis, while the Kia driver also suffered harm.

Giving evidence, forensic psychiatrist Hoa Nguyen told the court Richards was previously diagnosed with a schizo-affective disorder, which is a combination of bipolar illness and schizophrenia.

The court heard Richards was suffering from delusions at the time of the alleged offending, including believing that a “small security vehicle was following her”, which is why she drove erratically.

In Richards’ police interview released to The Advertiser by the court she can be heard laughing when told she is also charged with causing serious harm by dangerous driving.

When asked if she understands Richards replies: “I was running for my life OK? Do you understand that?”

The case was adjourned until next month.

Originally published as Carlie Eileen Richards found mentally incompetent over fatal Adelaide Port River Expressway crash