Driver accused of smashing into Greens politician in Brisbane pleads guilty
By Cloe Read
A woman accused of crashing into the car of former Brisbane Greens MP Amy MacMahon, leaving the then-state member with serious head injuries, has pleaded guilty.
At her arraignment in the District Court in Brisbane on Monday, Rani Paige Lowry stood quietly in the dock as she pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a vehicle causing grievous bodily harm, while being adversely affected.
Rani Paige Lowry, 27, outside the Brisbane District Court. Credit: Cloe Read
The day of the crash, February 12, 2024, MacMahon had been leaving a community barbecue and was on her way to another event.
When MacMahon turned onto Main Street from Baines Street in Kangaroo Point, a Hyundai driven by Lowry smashed into MacMahon’s Toyota Prius.
At the time of her arrest, police alleged that Lowry had been speeding more than 20 kilometres over the limit, and had been told by her passenger to slow down.
Court documents showed Lowry’s car was travelling at least 83km/h before the impact along the 60km/h road.
The moment of the Kangaroo Point car crash that injured Greens MP Amy MacMahon.Credit: Nine News
Footage of the crash was released, showing pedestrians running from the intersection just before the collision sent MacMahon’s car spinning into a pole outside restaurant One Fish Two Fish.
Outside court, Lowry, who remained on bail, did not comment to media.
She had changed her outfit – from the tan blazer and black sunglasses that she wore when arriving, to a striped shirt and pink sunglasses – apparently to avoid the attention of journalists.
Lowry was expected to be sentenced on May 30.
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