A woman was allegedly under the influence of multiple illegal drugs when police said she caused a fatal car crash on a freeway on-ramp.
Evie Butterworth has been charged with manslaughter and driving under the influence of drugs after the crash that killed 21-year-old Abbey Sherriff on January 11.
Police allege Ms Butterworth, 29, was behind the wheel of a Nissan Maxima when it clipped Ms Sherriff’s Nissan X-Trail on an on-ramp of the Kwinana Freeway at Baldivis about 11.35pm.
The impact caused Ms Sheriff’s vehicle to roll a number of times over 120m.
Ms Sheriff suffered serious injuries and died at the scene.
Ms Butterworth appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday on one charge of drive a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs, and one of manslaughter.
The court heard Ms Butterworth’s toxicology report following the crash showed traces of methamphetamine, amphetamine, cocaine, and tetrahydrocannabinol (a psychoactive found in cannabis).
The court was told the cocktail of drugs would have rendered her “incapable of controlling a motor vehicle.”
Police calculated her average speed at the time of the crash was at least 141kmph, based on her being spotted at a service station about 47km away at 11pm.
Following the crash, Abbey’s parents Darren and Julie Sheriff told Nine News they would never be the same again.
“For her to be taken so early, 21 is just too young. She should be burying us, not the other way around,” Mr Sherriff said.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by a road crash, contact Road Trauma Support WA on 1300 004 814.
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