Jessica Glennie sentenced over Diggers Rest crash that killed best friend Janelle Noonan-Long

A young mum who killed her best friend in a horror car crash has been freed after breaking down in court over the devastating impact her actions had on the victim’s loved ones.

Janelle Noonan-Long, 22, was killed when Jessica Glennie lost control of her car and crashed into a concrete pole on Plumpton Rd in Diggers Rest, about 40km northwest of Melbourne, in September 2021.

Glennie was filmed on CCTV drinking a glass of alcohol 45 minutes before the incident.

Blood tests revealed she was driving with cannabis in her system and driving with a suspended probationary license.

Glennie, 24, appeared in Victoria County Court on Friday and wiped away tears as Judge Peter Lauristen made a two-and-a-half year community corrections order.

The judge also recounted the “huge effect” Ms Noonan-Long’s death had on her partner Taylah Modrich and other relatives.

In a victim impact statement, Ms Modrich said due to the extent of injuries Ms Noonan-Long suffered in the crash, an open casket viewing could not take place, causing her ultimately “deprived of a feeling of closure”.

The court was told the ‘pain, grief and stress’ of losing her partner had taken a toll on Ms Modrich’s wellbeing and caused her to lose all ‘confidence in the safety of the vehicle’ .

Ms Modrich also told the court she was left with “deep-seated fear and paranoia about losing loved ones”.

In another victim impact statement, Ms Noonan-Long’s father Adam Scott Long said his daughter’s death left him unable to work for three months and he suffered from ‘bad anxiety’ .

Mr Long said he struggled to go out after the incident.

Glennie was also seriously injured in the accident and had to undergo spinal fusion in three different places. She is in extreme pain for the “foreseeable future” and lives with a brain injury.

“Your injuries have left you significantly disabled and faced a lifetime of intense suffering,” Judge Lauristen told Glennie.

In June 2023, the young mother pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death.

Judge Lauristen said Glennie’s decision to get behind the wheel was “highly irresponsible” but noted her obvious remorse for causing the death of her best friend.

“I accept that you are deeply remorseful for what happened,” Judge Lauristen said.

“Your lawyer reported your injuries as a form of punishment and that is indeed the case.”

Under the Community Corrections order, Glennie will not be able to obtain a license for two and a half years and will have to enter treatment for her drug and alcohol abuse and mental health.

Glennie was also banned from driving for a further six months and fined $400 for the summary charge of driving with drugs in her system.

She embraced her loved ones as she left the court.