Teenage girl handed 18-month suspended sentence over Tiger Brennan fatal crash

A TEENAGER who caused a crash that killed a woman as she drove to work on Tiger Brennan Dr last year has been given a suspended sentence

• Family’s heartbreaking loss laid bare as teen pleads over fatal Tiger Brennan Dr crash in February
• Shining a light in the darkness: Hiding youth justice from public scrutiny a disservice to all

A TEENAGE girl who caused a crash that killed 57-year-old Jo Neyens as she drove to work on Tiger Brennan Dr last February has been given an 18-month suspended sentence.

The then 17-year-old, who cannot be named, was also disqualified from driving for six months after pleading guilty in the Youth Justice Court on Monday to dangerous driving causing death.

The court heard the girl was behind the wheel of an Isuzu ute at about 8am on February 13 when she became distracted and ploughed into the back of Ms Neyens’ hatchback.

Ms Neyens’ was stopped at the back of a 1.2km queue of traffic banked up at the intersection with Berrimah Rd when the girl took her eyes off the road as she was changing lanes.

MORE NT COURT NEWS

‘F***ing stupidity’: Naked mangrove fugitive to spend three months in ‘chateau de Holtze’

Co-accused of alleged CBD bashing ringleader turns up to court

Carolyn Reynolds Rock Centre appeal effectively ends with a whimper

“You have been unable to fully explain why there was a period where you weren’t looking forward or why it was that you didn’t come to see Ms Neyens’ vehicle but you said that you were making head checks,” judge Elisabeth Armitage said.

“You were in a car that you weren’t familiar with and those head checks would have been more difficult for you in that vehicle, which might explain some of the reason why you were not looking ahead.”

In sentencing, Ms Armitage read from victim impact statements from Ms Neyens’ loved ones, who said the last thing they wanted was “for there to be two victims from that morning”.

“I hope this young woman can recover from this tragic event and be given a chance to forgive herself and live a full, happy and meaningful life,” Ms Neyens’ sister wrote.

Ms Armitage said she also took into account the girl’s “meaningful” participation in youth justice conferencing with representatives of Ms Neyens’ family, to whom she had also written a letter to express her remorse.

“That’s not an easy thing to do and you have done it exceptionally well,” she said.

“You’ve carefully reflected on the day in question, you’ve carefully considered the victim impact statements.

“You’ve listened to the representative from victims of crime about the impact this kind of offending has and loss of life on the road has on the broader community and families in particular.

“I note that the victim’s family might not be ready to receive (your) letter but that is going to be kept with victims of crime and should the victim’s family wish to receive it at any stage it will be made available to them.”

$1 FOR ALL YOUR NEWS? HERE’S HOW: Sign up now to our amazing deal of $1 for 28 days

Despite the girl’s youth and her lawyer’s plea for no conviction to be recorded, Ms Armitage said anything less “would not send the right message to the community”.

But she said while the “normal outcome” for similar charges was actual jail time, the lack of aggravating factors and the girl’s clean record along with her participation in conferencing meant a suspended sentence was appropriate.

The teenager also pleaded guilty to drug driving but the court heard the trace amount of cannabis in her blood on the day would not have affected her driving.

Follow @jas_walls