A driver who used Snapchat and Instagram on her phone moments before she struck and killed a cyclist on a country road has been slammed by a judge and jailed.
Abby Sturgess, 23, was supported by family and friends when she appeared in Victoria’s County Court at Wodonga on Wednesday for sentencing.
The aspiring midwife had earlier pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous driving causing death when she rammed into the back of Anthony Reeckman, 59, near Rutherglen, in Victoria’s north-east, in January 2023.
The avid cyclist and photographer suffered traumatic injuries when he was hit by the car, bouncing off the bonnet and windscreen before being flung 25.6 metres.
Sturgess immediately stopped at the scene, called triple-zero and commenced CPR, but Mr Reeckman could not be revived.
There were emotional scenes in the courtroom as Sturgess was sentenced to 16 months jail on Wednesday.
Enrolled nurse Abby Sturgess (pictured) will spend at least six months behind bars after pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing death
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The court heard that Sturgess had been travelling between 79km/h and 87km/h at the time of the collision, and had no drugs or alcohol in her system.
When questioned by police, Sturgess denied using her phone, instead saying she didn’t see Mr Reeckman because the sun was in her eyes.
Investigators later found four messages she had sent on Snapchat in the five minutes leading up to the crash.
The Instagram application was also recorded as being open on her phone screen seconds before the collision.
County Court Judge Peter Rozen said in his sentencing remarks that it was clear the crash was not caused by a momentary lapse of attention.
Rather, Sturgess’ phone use was ‘prolonged and persistent’ while driving at high speed which led to the death of Mr Reeckman, who was regarded as a beloved member of the community.
‘You evidently did not see him as you made no attempt to slow down or avoid the collision,’ Judge Rozen said.
‘You were distracted by your mobile phone.’
‘You were travelling at a considerable speed in a motor vehicle without due attention to the road before you, creating a significant risk of serious harm to the public.’
Cyclist Anthony Reeckman (pictured with his partner Deb Enshaw) was killed when he was struck by a distracted driver from behind in January last year
The court heard harrowing impact statements from Mr Reeckman’s partner of seven years Deb Enshaw and from his siblings.
Ms Enshaw began her statement stating that ‘the worst day of [her] life was the last of [Tony’s]’ as she recalled the the immense shock and sadness his death caused.
She told the court she felt robbed of the future she and her partner were looking forward to, had planned and prepared for and that she will will miss Tony every day for the rest of her life.
Mr Reeckman’s sister Barbara spoke of the enduring impact his death has had on their close-knit family and will be felt for the rest of their lives.
Sturgess was living in Rutherglen at the time of the crash before she moved to Wangaratta last year, where she found work as an enrolled nurse and continued studying with plans to become a midwife.
Judge Rozen accepted Sturgess was a young woman of otherwise impeccable character and noted her ‘most impressive’ references, which included colleagues and her supervisor.
‘They paint a picture of a young woman who contributes to her community and is hard working and loved by those with whom she comes into contact,’ he said.
He also accepted Sturgess’ diagnosed post-traumatic stress and adjustment disorders would make her time behind bars more difficult.
Anthony Reeckman, 59, was an avid cyclist and photographer before his life was cut short
Sturgess’ prospects of rehabilitation were excellent, she had shown genuine remorse and had entered an early guilty plea.
‘In a heartfelt letter you wrote to the court you express your sorrow for your actions,’ Judge Rozen said.
‘You apologise to Mr Reeckman’s family and to 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 a jail term was required due to the severity of the crime and the need to deter others from committing similar offences.
Sturgess’ friends and family wept as she was jailed for one year and four months.
She must serve at least six months before being eligible for parole, which could be as early as November.
Her licence was also cancelled and she was disqualified from driving for 18 months.
Mr Reeckman’s loved ones hope that Sturgess will be able to get on with her life after she serves her sentence and that it serves as a timely reminder to all road users.
‘It’s a horrible situation … there’s no winners in this case,’ his partner told the ABC.
‘Everyone’s lost something; we have lost a lot.
‘It’s the only positive that can possibly come out of this case — if … someone sees this and is deterred from using their phones.’
Anthony reeckman’s loved ones hope his tragic death will serve as a reminder to motorists to stay off their phones when behind the wheel