Police officer Cassandra Joy Richardson fronts court for sentencing over fatal road crash

A former police officer has avoided jail for her negligent driving while off-duty that caused the road deaths of a mother and son at Richmond two years ago. Her sentence >>

Tasmania Police constable Cassandra Joy Richardson, 26, has been charged with negligently causing the roads deaths of mother and son, Teresa and Jim Brown, at Penna on May 10, 2022. Picture: Amber Wilson

A 28-year-old former police officer, whose negligent driving caused the road deaths of a mother and son near Richmond two years ago, has avoided going to jail after receiving a wholly suspended term of imprisonment.

Cassandra Joy Richardson was off-duty and driving home on May 10, 2022 when she veered into the oncoming lane of 51-year-old Teresa Brown.

Forced to take evasive action, Ms Brown was killed alongside her 16-year-old son, Jim, when their car collided with a third vehicle on Brinktop Rd.

In August, Richardson was found guilty of two counts of causing death by negligent driving, driving without due care and attention, and driving while disqualified by Magistrate Andrew McKee.

On Friday, Magistrate McKee sentenced Richardson to a six-month jail term, wholly suspended on the condition that she commit no offences punishable by imprisonment for the next 12 months.

In describing the defendant’s negligence as mid-range, Magistrate McKee said Richardson had failed to have proper control of her vehicle when she crossed a continuous white line and entered the oncoming lane.

While Richardson had not been speeding before the crash, and was not affected by drugs or alcohol, the effect of her actions on the Brown family had been “catastrophic”.

“I am conscious that your conduct resulted in the deaths of two people,” Magistrate McKee said.

The court heard that Richardson’s 24 character references spoke of someone of previously impeccable reputation, with her actions on the day of the crash described as out of character.

Recording convictions against Richardson, Magistrate McKee said the defendant’s conduct had fallen well below the acceptable standard of care that drivers owed to other road users.

In addition to the suspended jail term, Richardson was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

On Monday during sentencing submissions, Richardson had wiped away tears as she listened to powerful victim impact statements delivered by members of the Brown family.

Mrs Brown’s adult daughter, Samantha, told the court of the devastating impact both deaths had had on the family unit, while son Joel Brown said he had suffered the pain of losing his mother and brother on his birthday.

Originally published as Police officer Cassandra Joy Richardson fronts court for sentencing over fatal road crash