A driver who used Snapchat and Instagram on her phone moments before hitting and killing a cyclist on a country road has been beaten by a judge and jailed.
Abby Sturgess, 23, was supported by family and friends as she appeared at the Victoria County Court in Wodonga on Wednesday for sentencing.
The aspiring midwife had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving causing death when she crashed into the back of Anthony Reeckman, 59, near Rutherglen, in northeast Victoria, in January 2023.
The avid cyclist and photographer suffered traumatic injuries after hitting the bonnet and windscreen of the car before being thrown 25.6 metres.
Sturgess immediately stopped at the scene, called triple zero and began CPR, but Mr. Reeckman could not be revived.
There were emotional scenes in the courtroom as Sturgess was sentenced to 16 months in jail on Wednesday.
Registered nurse Abby Sturgess (pictured) will spend at least six months behind bars after pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing death.
The court heard Sturgess was traveling between 79km/h and 87km/h at the time of the collision and had no drugs or alcohol in his system.
But when questioned by police, Sturgess denied using her phone and instead said she didn’t see Mr Reeckman because the sun was in her eyes.
Investigators later found four messages he had sent on Snapchat five minutes before the crash.
The Instagram app was also recorded to be open on his phone screen seconds before the collision.
County Court Judge Peter Rozen said in his sentence comments that it was clear that the accident was not caused by a momentary lack of attention.
Rather, Sturgess’ phone use was “prolonged and persistent” while driving at high speed, resulting in the death of Mr. Reeckman, considered a beloved member of the community.
“You clearly did not see it as you made no attempt to slow down or avoid the collision,” Judge Rozen said.
“You were distracted by your cell phone.”
“You were traveling at a considerable speed in a motor vehicle without paying due attention to the road ahead, creating a significant risk of causing serious harm to the public.”
Cyclist Anthony Reeckman (pictured with partner Deb Enshaw) died when he was hit by a distracted driver from behind in January last year.
The court heard heartbreaking impact statements from Reeckman’s partner of seven years, Deb Enshaw, along with his siblings.
Mrs. Enshaw began her statement by stating that “the worst day of [her] life was the last of [Tony’s]’ while remembering the immense shock and sadness his death caused.
She told the court that she felt robbed of the future she and her partner had hoped for, planned and prepared for and that she will miss Tony every day for the rest of her life.
Mr Reeckman’s sister Barbara spoke of the lasting impact his death has had on their close-knit family and how the devastating loss will be felt for the rest of their lives.
The court noted Sturgess was living in Rutherglen at the time of the accident before moving to Wangaratta last year, where she found work as a nurse and continued studying with plans to become a midwife.
Judge Rozen accepted that Sturgess was a young woman of impeccable character and highlighted her “most impressive” references, which included her colleagues and her supervisor.
“They paint a picture of a young woman who contributes to her community, who works hard and is loved by those she comes into contact with,” she said.
He also accepted that Sturgess’s diagnosed post-traumatic stress and adjustment disorders would make his stay behind bars more difficult.
Anthony Reeckman, 59, was an avid cyclist and photographer before his life was cut short.
Sturgess’s prospects for rehabilitation were excellent, he had shown genuine remorse and had pleaded guilty early.
“In a heartfelt letter he wrote to the Court, he expresses his regret for his actions,” Judge Rozen said.
Apologize to Mr. Reeckman’s family and your own.
‘You say that a part of you died on January 27, 2023 and that you can no longer be proud of yourself.
But the judge said the only sentence available was a jail term due to the seriousness of the crime and the need to deter others from committing similar offences.
Sturgess’s friends and family cried as she was jailed for a year and four months.
He must serve six months before being eligible for parole, which could be as early as November.
Her license was also canceled and she was disqualified from driving for 18 months.
Mr Reeckman’s loved ones hope Sturgess can move on with his life after serving his sentence and serves as a timely reminder to all road users.
“It’s a horrible situation… there are no winners in this case,” his partner told the ABC.
‘Everyone has lost something; We have lost a lot.
“It’s the only positive thing that can come out of this case…if…someone sees this and is discouraged from using their phones.”
Anthony Reeckman’s loved ones hope his tragic death serves as a reminder to motorists not to use their phones while behind the wheel.
