Rebekah Stewart was today sentenced to six years jail at the Ballarat County Court for the hit-run of local __bike rider Christian Ashby on the morning of Good Friday 2016. She was also disqualified from driving for eight years.
The 24-year-old woman had pleaded guilty to the charges of dangerous driving causing serious injury, failing to stop after an accident, drive while disqualified and drive an unregistered car. At a hearing last week the court was told that Ms Stewart had been taking the drug ice before the crash, which occurred at 6:22am.
Bicycle Network CEO, Craig Richards, said that drivers who show such disregard for the safety of others need to be taken off the road.
"Anyone that doesn't understand the level of responsibility needed to drive a car should not be allowed on the roads," said Mr Richards.
"A lengthy jail term and licence suspension for Ms Stewart sends a strong message, but nothing will make up for the damage and trauma caused to Christian and his family. We need to take proactive steps to stop dangerous drivers before they cause such serious incidents."
At the sentencing, Judge McInerny said it was clearly the most serious offence of dangerous driving and that the consequences of the crime were horrific.
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A non-parole period of four years was set by Judge McInerny, who also said if not for her guilty plea Ms Stewart would have faced a longer stint in prison.
See a full report from the Ballarat Courier here including an interview with Christian Ashby who is recovering from the incident.
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