Tasmania Police constable faces court over tragic road deaths of mother and son
A young Tasmania Police constable has faced court for the first time, charged with negligently causing the road deaths of mother and son, Teresa and Jim Brown.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A YOUNG Tasmania Police constable has briefly faced court after being charged over a fatal crash near Richmond that took the lives of a mother and son.
Cassandra Joy Richardson, 26, appeared in the Hobart Magistrates Court on Friday following the horror crash at Penna on May 10 this year, which claimed the lives of Teresa Brown, aged in her 50s, and her 16-year-old son Jim.
Ms Richardson, who was off-duty at the time of the crash according to a prior statement from Tasmania Police, has since been stood down from duty.
She has not yet entered pleas to a number of charges including two counts of causing death by negligent driving, one count of driving without due care and attention, one count of driving while disqualified and two counts of contravening vehicle standards.
Friday was her first court appearance since the May tragedy, with Ms Richardson’s lawyer asking for an adjournment without plea.
Ms Richardson, a constable from the Southern District, did not speak during the short administrative hearing and left court swiftly afterwards.
The constable is on bail and will return to court on February 9 next year.
The Mercury previously reported the crash occurred on Brinktop Rd, Penna, about 5pm on the day in question and was the catalyst to reduce the speed limit in the area to 80km/h.
Tasmania Police previously said it would not make any further comment with the matter now before the courts.
The Mercury previously reported the crash involved three cars, with the Browns, who were travelling in a red Daewoo, perishing at the scene
Another mother and son, believed to be in their 50s and mid-20s and who were travelling in a blue Holden Cruze, were also injured in the crash.
They were taken to hospital but survived the incident.
The Browns were remembered on social media in a tribute by Teresa’s son, and Jim’s brother, Joel Brown.
He described Teresa, a mother and grandmother, as a tireless volunteer at the Campania Wallabies Football Club, and a kind-hearted person who “would go out of (her) way for anyone”.
Jim Brown graduated from Campania District School last year and was described as a “treasured member of the community”.
More Coverage
Elderly pedestrian struck by vehicle dies after hospital battle
Police have confirmed a man who was struck by a vehicle in Hobart’s CBD more than a week ago has died in hospital.
Everybody appearing at Hobart Magistrates Court, Friday, April 18
Here is a list of people appearing at Hobart Magistrates Court on April 18.