A driver who used Snapchat and Instagram on her phone moments before hitting and killing a cyclist on a country road has been criticized and jailed by a judge.
Abby Sturgess, 23, was supported by family and friends as she appeared for sentencing at Victoria’s County Court in Wodonga on Wednesday.
The aspiring midwife had previously pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death when she struck 59-year-old Anthony Reeckman near Rutherglen, in Victoria’s north-east, in January 2023.
The keen cyclist and photographer suffered traumatic injuries after hitting the car’s bonnet and windscreen and 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 prison on Wednesday.
Enrolled 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 driving between 79km/h and 87km/h at the time of the collision and had no drugs or alcohol in her system.
But when questioned by police, Sturgess denied using her phone but said she had not seen Mr Reeckman because the sun was in her eyes.
Investigators later found four messages she had sent to Snapchat within five minutes prior to the crash
It was also recorded that the Instagram application was open on her phone screen seconds before the collision.
County Court Judge Peter Rozen said this in his speech comments on the conviction that it was clear that the crash was not caused by a momentary lapse of attention.
Sturgess’ phone use was previously “prolonged and persistent” while driving at high speed, leading to the death of Mr Reeckman, who was considered a well-liked member of the community.
“You apparently did not see him as you made no attempt to slow or avoid the collision,” Judge Rozen said.
“You were distracted by your cell phone.”
“You drove a motor vehicle at a significant speed without paying due attention to the road ahead of you, creating a significant risk of serious injury to the public.”
Cyclist Anthony Reeckman (pictured with his partner Deb Enshaw) was killed in January last year when he was hit from behind by a distracted driver
The court heard harrowing impact statements from Mr Reeckman’s partner of seven years, Deb Enshaw, along with his siblings.
Ms Enshaw began her statement saying that ‘the worst day of [her] life was the last of [Tony’s]’ as she recalled the enormous shock and sadness his death caused.
She told the court she felt robbed of the future she and her partner had looked forward to, 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 heard Sturgess lived in Rutherglen at the time of the crash before moving to Wangaratta last year, where she found work as a nurse and continued her studies with plans to become a midwife.
Judge Rozen accepted that Sturgess was a young woman of otherwise impeccable character and noted her ‘most impressive’ references, including colleagues and her supervisor.
“They paint a picture of a young woman who contributes to her community, works hard and is loved by those she comes into contact with,” he said.
He also accepted that 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 for rehabilitation were excellent, she had shown genuine remorse and entered guilty pleas early on.
“In a heartfelt letter you wrote to the court, you express your sorrow for your actions,” Judge Rozen said.
‘You apologize 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 the only punishment available was a prison sentence due to the seriousness of the crime and the need to deter others from committing similar crimes.
Sturgess’ friends and family cried as she was jailed for a year and four months.
She must serve six months before she is eligible for parole, which could be as early as November.
Her driver’s license was also revoked and she was disqualified from driving for 18 months.
Mr Reeckman’s loved ones hope that Sturgess can continue with her life after serving her sentence and that this is a timely reminder for all road users.
“It’s a terrible situation… there are no winners in this case,” his partner told the newspaper 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 stopped from using their phone.”
Anthony Reeckman’s loved ones hope his tragic death will remind drivers to stay off their phones when behind the wheel