The young French tourist who killed a teenage Miss World Australia in a car crash has been so traumatised by the horrific accident she tattooed the date on her neck.
Elyse Miller-Kennedy, 17, was killed in a collision in north Queensland in August last year when Cindy Gonin veered onto the wrong side of the road while making a turn.
The 25-year-old pleaded guilty to dangerous driving last week, but on Monday was spared prison time because a judge said she had suffered enough.
The court heard Gonin has suffered from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder since the crash and permanently inked the date of the accident on her body, according to 9News.
Elyse Miller-Kennedy (pictured) was killed in a collision in north Queensland in August last year when Cindy Gonin veered onto the wrong side of the road while making a turn
The court heard Gonin has suffered from depression and PTSD since the crash and permanently inked the date of the accident on her body
Ms Miller-Kennedy (pictured) was rushed to hospital after the incident that occurred on Maree Dimbulah Road, but died due to severe head and chest injuries
‘It’s plain that the death of this young woman has had a significant impact on you as well and I accept that you’re going to live with it for the rest of your life,’ Judge Michael Shanahan said in Cairns District Court.
A medical report prepared for the court said Ms Gonin needed ongoing medical care including physical rehabilitation and counselling.
She has been given a two-year suspended sentence and has been disqualified from driving for one year.
Ms Miller-Kennedy was rushed to hospital after the incident that occurred on Maree Dimbulah Road, but died due to severe head and chest injuries.
She had only got her driver’s license five weeks before the crash.
‘The investigations clearly show Elyse was a completely innocent party in this tragedy,’ Forensic Crash investigator Scott Ezard said at the time of the accident.
Ms Gonin was also taken to hospital with serious arm and leg injuries. She has appeared in court on crutches.
Ms Miller-Kennedy was rushed to hospital after the incident that occurred on Maree Dimbulah Road, but died due to severe head and chest injuries
Elyse had a promising career ahead of her as a model. She was a Miss World Australia finalist in 2017, and had signed with a modelling agency
‘She was a beautiful, amazing girl both inside and out and she could have been or done anything she wanted to’
Elyse had a promising career ahead of her as a model. She was a Miss World Australia finalist in 2017, and had signed with a modelling agency.
Current Miss World Australia Madeline Cowe said earlier she befriended Ms Miller-Kennedy during her pageant journey and was struggling to deal with the loss.
‘You would never imagine she was only 17-years-old – she was so mature, so fun, so happy and full of life,’ she said.
‘She was a beautiful, amazing girl both inside and out and she could have been or done anything she wanted to.’
A fundraising campaign set up for Elyse by a family friend after the crash to help cover expenses raised more than $50,000 for her family.