A teenage driver has been jailed for running a red light and fatally crashing her car at high speed into a 91-year-old cancer survivor in the Perth suburb of Floreat.
Leeanna Sharon Ferguson, 19, was driving in June last year when she went through a red light at more than 80 kilometres per hour.
She hit a vehicle being driven by Dorothy Smith, 91, who died after suffering "non-survivable" head and neck injuries.
District Court Judge Linda Petrusa said it was a fine, clear day, with good visibility.
She said Ferguson did not brake at any time, yet there was ample time for her to stop.
"Your period of inattention is not clear," she said.
She said Dorothy Smith had been leading an active life, despite having been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Judge Petrusa said she had every right to feel safe on the road, and the family was left "reeling and fractured" by her death.
It was "safe to say they are heartbroken", she said.
A record of dangerous driving
Ferguson had pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death.
Judge Petrusa said Ferguson, who was aged 18 at the time of the accident, had "genuine remorse" and had been undergoing counselling as a result of guilt and flashbacks associated with the crash.
She said Ferguson had been driving when she was involved in a previous crash in April 2017, in which she and her brother were injured.
The judge said the dangerous driving conviction may have an impact on her career in the Australian Defence Force.
She considered it to be in the "mid-range of seriousness of offences of its kind" but gave Ferguson a 20 per cent discount for the plea of guilty.
Ferguson was given two years in prison but the term was partially suspended, meaning she must serve four months before being released.
'Justice has been done'
Outside court, Ms Smith's son-in-law Burditt Krost said the family thought the sentence was fair.
"Justice has been done," he said.
"She got a partially suspended sentence and will serve four months immediately in jail, leaving a message for the community that safe driving, responsible activity … is essential.
"Our dear, dear matriarch is no longer with us."
Daughter Anthea Krost said it was a "monumental loss".
"She was an incredibly strong, beautiful, tough lady from the country," she said.
"Sorely missed. Horrendous injuries she died from but she went quickly."
