Ronan Jason Grey: P-plater jailed over fatal Canberra collision
A provisional driver who allegedly caused the crash in which a female cyclist was killed was “aware his car was uninsured, unregistered and unroadworthy,” a court has heard.
A p-plater who was driving an unregistered, uninsured and unroadworthy vehicle has been jailed for three years after striking and killing a woman as she rode her bike in Canberra last year.
Ronan Jasey Grey, who pleaded guilty to culpable driving offences, was sentenced in the ACT Supreme Court after the fatal collision that claimed the life of a 36-year-old Canberra resident and Uruguayan national, Alicia Celaya Jauregui on March 20, 2024.
The court heard that she was an “exceptional young woman” whose loss has left a “deep and quiet pain” for her family members and friends.
It was heard that Grey — who was 18 at the time — was driving at an estimated 90-100km/h, which was over 30km over the limit on Lady Denman Drive.
He illegally overtook another vehicle across double white lines before continuing toward the Glenloch Interchange.
A witness described Grey’s driving as “out of control” with the provisional driver’s car passing “backwards and forwards” before veering into the incorrect side of the road.
The vehicle began rotating clockwise — sliding sideways across the road before colliding with the Ms Jauregui’s bike.
The impact was recorded at 92km/h which threw the young woman roughly 40 metres.
She sustained catastrophic injuries and was not able to be revived.
The court heard Grey’s car had failed inspection, had worn tires, false licence plates and was not registered, nor insured.
Grey drove it “despite knowing everything wrong with the car mechanically”.
Acting Justice Paul Slattery told the young man: “you knew you were making bad decisions.”
The judge emphasised that Grey had shown “genuine remorse,” including in a letter acknowledging he had “deprived the world of an exceptional woman” and shattered the woman’s family.
Ms Jauregui was born in Uruguay and was working as a tennis coach in Canberra.
Acting Justice Slattery told the young man his “actions have deprived the world of an exceptional woman.”
Acting Justice Slattery completed a damning assessment of Grey’s character stating: “you describe yourself as angry and emotional.”
“You felt like a failure ... and described yourself as a loner.”
Yet, the court heard he had knowingly ignored its condition while choosing to speed.
“You liked the freedom of being in your car... it was better than sitting at home.”
The courts heard the 20-year-old had an abusive childhood and multiple mental health diagnoses.
“The court cannot make an order that restores what has been taken,” the judge said.
Grey chose to enter custody in August after his sentencing hearing,
He was sentenced to a three-year jail term, to be suspended after 15 months, and a two-year suspension of his drivers license.
Grey will be released in November 2026.
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Originally published as Ronan Jason Grey: P-plater jailed over fatal Canberra collision
