Sonya Wiffen, 51, found guilty over tragic crash that killed Humpty Doo mother Sally Steers

The family of a Humpty Doo woman killed when she was rear-ended into oncoming traffic in 2021 has spoken of their ongoing pain at the devastation wrought by her loss.

The woman who drove into the back of another car at 80km/h causing a collision with oncoming traffic that killed Humpty Doo mother Sally Steers has been found guilty of causing her death.

During sentencing submissions in the Supreme Court on Monday, Ms Steers’ family said they were “unable to forgive” the devastation wrought by the loss.

Sonya Wiffen, 51, was travelling along the Arnhem Hwy on May 29, 2021 when she drove at full speed for five seconds over 117m towards Ms Steers who was waiting to turn while failing to apply the brakes until the last moment.

Ms Steers’ sedan was launched into the path of an oncoming car and she died at the scene.

Sally Steers with her daughter Ellee Yorston

In a victim impact statement read to the court by Crown prosecutor Stephen Robson SC, Ms Steers’ daughter Ellee Yorston described the toll losing her 58-year-old mother had taken.

“Heartache, sorrow, distress, trauma, anger, rage, bitterness, life-changing, devastating, empty, loss – the list is endless,” she said.

“For months I did not enjoy life anymore, I was in pain thinking ‘What’s the point of living without my best friend?’

“I will no longer have the wise words of wisdom from my mother, I will not have a mother to assist me through my life’s burdens – buying a house, through marriage, multiple miscarriages, finally getting pregnant and raising kids of my own — or how long to cook the roast for because mum’s was always the best.”

“I still cry everyday but I do it in places (people) can’t see – in the shower, on the way to work.

“There’s a void inside me that cannot be filled because there’s no love in this world like the love of a mother.”

Sally Steers with her daughter Ellee Yorston, who told the court of the heavy toll Ms Steers death had on her mental health. Picture: Supplied.

Ms Steers’ sister Simone Steers read her own statement via video link from Melbourne, including the ordeal of being forced into two weeks quarantine at Howard Springs due to Covid restrictions.

“During my stay at the Howard Springs facility I became increasingly grief stricken and depressed, being unable to eat or sleep, my thoughts quickly turned dark,” she said.

“After several days of requested mental health support I finally received a visit from a mental health nurse and a bottle of sleeping tablets.”

“Sally was the matriarch of our family, she was the leader, teacher, provider, carer, and general all-round go-to person.”

“Our lives and family have been torn apart, our hearts are broken and at this time I am unable to find the strength to forgive.”

Sonya Wiffen was found guilty of dangerous driving causing death.

An emotional Wiffen sat in the dock throughout the submissions.

The court heard a psychological assessment of her mental state had been delayed and would need to be completed before sentencing took place.

Defence lawyer John Lawrence SC said the grandmother-of-two was a good single mum, hard worker and “unsung hero” – volunteering in bushfire prevention and serving as a foster parent for 10 years.

Mr Lawrence is calling for a completely suspended sentence or home detention, while the prosecution argued she should spend time behind bars.

Sentencing is expected to take place on Thursday.