Police have charged a 20-year-old woman with manslaughter over the crash that killed Canberra man Matthew McLuckie in May.
Warning: This story contains a confronting image.
Mr McLuckie, also 20, had been travelling home from his job at Canberra Airport when another car, which police say was travelling at 177kph or more on the wrong side of the road, collided with his vehicle.
The female driver of that car was extracted from the vehicle and taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
ACT Policing Acting Superintendent Paul Hutcheson said she now faced charges including manslaughter, aggravated reckless driving, unlicensed driving, driving a motor vehicle without consent, and culpable driving causing death.
"I can confirm that yesterday a 20-year-old woman was issued a summons to face charges relating to a fatal collision on Hindmarsh Drive in May earlier this year," he said.
"This has been a long-running investigation and police are still seeking information about the driver of a third vehicle that may have been in the vicinity of the collision."
Police believe that third vehicle may also have been travelling on the wrong side of the road at the time of the crash.
"I would remind all that this incident has had a significant impact on many members of our community and continues to do so," Acting Superintendent Hutcheson said.
'There are no winners here'
Acting Superintendent Hutcheson said the alleged offender remained under "fairly significant medical care and attention", and the charges were laid in consultation with the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions and the woman's defence lawyers.
"Any matters relating to her health can be raised before the court," he said.
"I can advise there's been no delays in the investigation … every investigation is an individual set of circumstances.
"In this one, there's been some extenuating circumstances, being the condition of the alleged offender."
He said that, after seeing the aftermath of the crash, it was a miracle anyone had survived.
"There're no winners here — this is still just a tragic situation for everybody," he said.
Acting Superintendent Hutcheson added that police had "significant leads" in their search for the third driver, and had seized the car they believed was involved.
"What we're after is still that last crucial piece of information, and we know someone's out there — whether it's the driver who's had time to consider it now — if they want to come and see us we'd love to talk to them," he said.
"Or if somebody knows who the driver of that vehicle was and can provide that to us, we'd ask them to contact Crime Stoppers."
He reminded Canberrans to take care on ACT roads during the holidays.
"The destination is the important part this holiday season."
Mr McLuckie's family were devastated by his death and have since campaigned for stronger laws against those who steal cars and drive recklessly, to prevent similar tragedies in future.
They described Mr McLuckie as "caring, funny, witty, clever, and humble".
His father Tom McLuckie has petitioned the ACT Legislative Assembly and started a social media campaign called "ACTnowforsaferroads".
The woman will appear in court on February 7.
Anyone with information about the collision is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
