Chinese heiress LanLan Yang hit with fifth charge over Eastern Suburbs collision
The mysterious Chinese woman whose $1.5 million Rolls-Royce SUV was smashed in a head-on crash in Sydney has copped another blow.
The mysterious Chinese heiress whose $1.5 million Rolls-Royce SUV was smashed in a head-on crash in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs has been slapped with a fifth charge.
LanLan Yang’s vehicle crashed head-on with a Mercedes that was being driven by George Plassaras, a chauffeur to radio host Kyle Sandilands, in the early hours of July 26.
Mr Plassaras received horrific injuries, breaking his spine, ribs, both hips and both femurs in the collision on New South Head Road in Rose Bay.
The case has become the talk of the town in China, where many are speculating about Ms Yang’s ties to a prominent Communist party figure.
Ms Yang, who is scheduled to appear in court on Friday, was uninjured in the crash. The 23-year-old was initially charged with causing bodily harm by misconduct, in charge of motor vehicle and refuse or fail to submit to breath analysis. Earlier this month, NSW Police confirmed she faced two additional charges: dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and not giving particulars to police.
Now, Ms Yang has been accused of a fifth offence: negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm. Police notified her of the fresh charge on Tuesday, a spokesperson confirmed to news.com.au.
If found guilty and convicted, Ms Yang faces a maximum possible penalty of seven years behind bars.
Who is LanLan Yang?
Ms Yang has been bailed to her penthouse apartment in Sydney’s east, where she owns a second Rolls-Royce, while the case moves through the courts.
Chinese Australians are following the case with interest – curious about who Ms Yang is and the source of her lavish wealth.
About 100 people crowded into the John Madison Tower at Sydney’s Downing Centre for Ms Yang’s court appearance last month, hoping to catch a glimpse of her.
One attendee, Tony Zhou, said speculation was rife that Ms Yang was related to a Chinese CCP official.
“The question we focus on is, which top leader’s granddaughter or great-granddaughter she is? In China, many top families’ offspring immigrate to Australia,” Mr Zhou told news.com.au.
Ms Yang did not enter a plea. She is due back in court on September 26.
Her bail conditions include that she is not allowed to drive a car or leave her penthouse between the hours of 8pm and 6am.
Registration data for her Rolls-Royce Cullinan showed it was a 2025 model, which can retail for more than $1 million.
The car was insured at the time, although Ms Yang may not be able to get coverage if drink driving is found to be the cause of the crash. If found guilty, she may also be ordered to pay Mr Plassaras’ medical and vehicle costs.
After the crash she was filmed being escorted from the scene in a luxury outfit that appeared to include Chanel shoes, a Chanel two-pice and a Miu Miu bucket hat, possibly totalling $5,000.
Wild claim about heiress’ family
Rumours have also made the rounds on Chinese social media that Ms Yang is related to President Xi Jinping.
Sheng Xue, a Canadian-Chinese journalist and activist, claimed online that Ms Yang was seen visiting Xi’s mother, Qi Xin, at a Shenzhen hotel earlier this year.
Ms Xue described Qi Xin as Ms Yang’s “grandmother … who looks strikingly similar to her and dotes on her”.
“The Shenzhen Guest House (hotel) is a venue specifically for hosting senior CCP leaders,” she wrote in Mandarin in the viral post, adding that Qi Xin lives at the hotel year-round.
She said Ms Yang had first flown from Sydney to Hong Kong in March before riding in a motorcade to Shenzhen.
“Lanlan Yang’s ability to access the Guest House directly and meet Qi Xin confirms her status as an important member of the Xi family system.”
Ms Xue also shared photos which she claimed showed the likeness between Yang and Ms Xin. The image of Yang appeared to have been digitally enhanced.
“The Lanlan Yang incident exposes the double life of the CCP’s top families: they promote hatred toward free, democratic countries domestically, while placing their descendants overseas, dividing up the nation’s wealth,” Ms Xue wrote in another fiery post.
“China’s billions of people are desperately struggling to survive, but the CCP and its descendants have already hollowed out China and fled abroad.”
The story, which has not been verified, was spurred on by the claim that China’s elites move their money to overseas family members, referred to as “white gloves”, in a bid to avoid scrutiny.
US-based Chinese language newspaper, Vision Times, suggested that Yang was the daughter of Xi’s brother Xi Yuanping, who has permanent residency in Australia. Xi’s sister Qi Qiaoqiao is reportedly an Australian citizen.
There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by her relatives.
– with NewsWire
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Originally published as Chinese heiress LanLan Yang hit with fifth charge over Eastern Suburbs collision
