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Police allege a woman accused of causing a fatal crash was on drugs at the time

A toxicology report, read in court, showed the accused was under the influence of a cocktail of drugs at the time of the fatal crash.

Tamborine Mountain fatal car crash

A woman was allegedly under the influence of multiple illegal drugs when police said she caused a fatal car crash on a freeway on-ramp.

Evie Butterworth has been charged with manslaughter and driving under the influence of drugs after the crash that killed 21-year-old Abbey Sherriff on January 11.

Police allege Ms Butterworth, 29, was behind the wheel of a Nissan Maxima when it clipped Ms Sherriff’s Nissan X-Trail on an on-ramp of the Kwinana Freeway at Baldivis about 11.35pm.

Ms Sheriff died at the scene from injuries caused when her car rolled for about 120m. Picture: Facebook
Ms Sheriff died at the scene from injuries caused when her car rolled for about 120m. Picture: Facebook
Abbey Sheriff, 21, was killed when her Nissan X-Trail was hit on a freeway on-ramp. Picture: Facebook
Abbey Sheriff, 21, was killed when her Nissan X-Trail was hit on a freeway on-ramp. Picture: Facebook

The impact caused Ms Sheriff’s vehicle to roll a number of times over 120m.

Ms Sheriff suffered serious injuries and died at the scene.

Ms Butterworth appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday on one charge of drive a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs, and one of manslaughter.

Evie Butterworth, who goes by Evie Muia on Facebook, appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday. Picture: Facebook
Evie Butterworth, who goes by Evie Muia on Facebook, appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday. Picture: Facebook

The court heard Ms Butterworth’s toxicology report following the crash showed traces of methamphetamine, amphetamine, cocaine, and tetrahydrocannabinol (a psychoactive found in cannabis).

The court was told the cocktail of drugs would have rendered her “incapable of controlling a motor vehicle.”

Police calculated her average speed at the time of the crash was at least 141kmph, based on her being spotted at a service station about 47km away at 11pm.

Darren and Julie Sheriff shared their grief with Nine News. Picture: Nine
Darren and Julie Sheriff shared their grief with Nine News. Picture: Nine

Following the crash, Abbey’s parents Darren and Julie Sheriff told Nine News they would never be the same again.

“For her to be taken so early, 21 is just too young. She should be burying us, not the other way around,” Mr Sherriff said.

If you or anyone you know has been affected by a road crash, contact Road Trauma Support WA on 1300 004 814.

Originally published as Police allege a woman accused of causing a fatal crash was on drugs at the time

Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/breaking-news/police-allege-a-woman-accused-of-causing-a-fatal-crash-was-on-drugs-at-the-time/news-story/b2178fa07a5c63d6834a7292de13f8b2