South Australian Driver Sentenced for Fatal Mid North Collision
On February 2, 2024, Seth Adrian Rigney, 25, caused a fatal vehicle collision in South Australia's Mid North. The crash tragically resulted in the deaths of Chloe Glasson, 23, and Shakeena Abdulla, 19. The bus driver involved in the incident sustained serious injuries.
Court Proceedings and Verdict
Rigney pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of causing serious harm by dangerous driving. During sentencing, District Court Judge Paul Muscat stated that Rigney drove through an intersection at Korunye, colliding with a 24-seat school bus.
The judge determined that Rigney deliberately failed to stop at a stop sign and a give way sign, subsequently failing to give way to the bus. Evidence indicated Rigney was driving at 86 km/h on Simpkin Road and was aware of the warning signs for the upcoming railway line and intersection. Although Rigney had consumed alcohol and cocaine previously, he was not found to be impaired at the time of the crash. Rigney conveyed an apology to the court.
Sentencing Details
Judge Muscat sentenced Rigney to three years and eight months imprisonment, with a non-parole period of two years and seven months. Rigney was also disqualified from driving for 13 years, a period backdated to the day of the crash.
Judge Muscat commented on the gravity of the loss experienced by the victims' families.
Victim Families' Reaction
Outside the court, Belle Glasson, mother of Chloe Glasson, stated satisfaction with the sentence, noting its impact on Rigney's life. She mentioned the initial misrepresentation of events by Rigney regarding stopping at the stop sign.
She described her daughter, Chloe, as "the life of the party."