Carlie Richards found mentally incompetent over fatal Adelaide crash that killed Erica Hoy
A drug-addicted mother of four will not be held criminally responsible for killing an aspiring actress in a high-speed hit-and-run crash, after a judge found she was mentally incompetent at the time.
Erica Hoy, 26, had been sitting in the backseat of a Toyota being driven down the Port River Expressway in Gillman, in Adelaide's northwest, by her twin sister when the vehicle was struck from behind by Carlie Richards' Holden Cruze and pushed into the path of an oncoming truck.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Carlie Richards will not be held criminally responsible for deadly crash.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
Richards, 41, was high on meth and travelling almost 100km/h over the 60km/h speed limit at the point of impact, the court was told.
However, she will not be held criminally responsible for Hoy's death in November 2022, after the judge found she was mentally incompetent at the time of the collision — suffering from a schizophrenic disorder — and did not understand that what she was doing was wrong.
Appearing via video link from the Adelaide Women's Prison, Richards cried as the verdict was handed down.
Erica Hoy's twin sister, Lisa, and boyfriend, Mike Reader, were seriously injured in the crash.
Reader told 7NEWS: 'To lose someone they loved so dearly and not see a direct consequence for it ... it's difficult to process.'
'My heart goes out to all of (Hoy's) family. I'll honour her life. She will always have a place in my heart and be my inspiration.'
Richards was uninjured and fled the crash scene.
She later pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident after causing death and harm.
The case will return to court in July for a pre-sentence hearing.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
12 hours ago
- Perth Now
Former Beauty and the Geek star charged over grisly alleged murder
A former reality TV star has been arrested and charged with murder following a grim discovery at a unit. The former Beauty and the Geek contestant is accused of brutally killing her partner. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Former Beauty and the Geek contestant charged over grisly alleged murder. Police spent the day at a property in Port Lincoln on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula after the man's body was found inside, following a fire emergency on Thursday afternoon. 'I don't have any advice in relation to how long the man has been deceased. That will form part of our investigation,' SA Police State Operations Service Assistant Commissioner Ian Parrott said. 'I'm not going to comment on the injuries of the deceased.' The accused — who cannot be named for legal reasons — once featured on Beauty and the Geek , a program where socially awkward men share a mansion with attractive women. Neighbours have been left shocked and reeling. They described the woman as 'really nice, very pleasant, polite.' The accused previously appeared on Beauty and the Geek. Credit: 7NEWS Police and forensics have spent the day at a Port Lincoln home where a man was allegedly murdered by a former reality TV star. Credit: 7NEWS The accused was arrested at the scene and taken to a local hospital, where she was charged with murder. She faced court on Friday via phone link and has been remanded in custody, having not applied for bail. It is understood she had recently moved in with the man she allegedly murdered. Police say the unit is a complex scene, but a court order has been placed over details of the case. Officers and forensics are expected to remain at the property well into the night as they continue their investigation. The accused will face court again at a later date.
News.com.au
a day ago
- News.com.au
Baby injured in fire extinguisher attack
Police have released CCTV in a bid to identify those who may be able to assist with the investigation, after the fire extinguisher was stolen, and then discharged into the car. Police are investigating after reports a fire extinguisher was sprayed into a car, injuring a baby girl. Police have released CCTV footage of two people on an e-bike after the fire extinguisher was stolen, and then allegedly discharged into the car at Slippy Downs on the Sunshine Coast on Sunday, June 15. The stolen extinguisher was reportedly sprayed through the rear window of a silver Suzuki Vitara stopped at traffic lights on High Street around 7.50pm. The whole car was covered in white smoke and powder. A five-month-old girl was strapped into the baby seat of the car, being driven by her dad. Both suffered minor injuries in the attack. The dad struggled to breathe as he rushed to take his daughter from the car. She was later taken to hospital and treated for dry skin, rash and bloodshot eyes. The fire extinguisher was stolen hours earlier from a carpark on Courage Street, police confirmed. The baby's mother broke down, speaking to 7NEWS. 'Grow up, stop terrorising people, do good with your life,' she said. 'There's absolutely no need for this.' Authorities have urged anyone with information to contact police.
7NEWS
a day ago
- 7NEWS
Carlie Richards found mentally incompetent over fatal Adelaide crash that killed Erica Hoy
A drug-addicted mother of four will not be held criminally responsible for killing an aspiring actress in a high-speed hit-and-run crash, after a judge found she was mentally incompetent at the time. Erica Hoy, 26, had been sitting in the backseat of a Toyota being driven down the Port River Expressway in Gillman, in Adelaide's northwest, by her twin sister when the vehicle was struck from behind by Carlie Richards' Holden Cruze and pushed into the path of an oncoming truck. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Carlie Richards will not be held criminally responsible for deadly crash. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Richards, 41, was high on meth and travelling almost 100km/h over the 60km/h speed limit at the point of impact, the court was told. However, she will not be held criminally responsible for Hoy's death in November 2022, after the judge found she was mentally incompetent at the time of the collision — suffering from a schizophrenic disorder — and did not understand that what she was doing was wrong. Appearing via video link from the Adelaide Women's Prison, Richards cried as the verdict was handed down. Erica Hoy's twin sister, Lisa, and boyfriend, Mike Reader, were seriously injured in the crash. Reader told 7NEWS: 'To lose someone they loved so dearly and not see a direct consequence for it ... it's difficult to process.' 'My heart goes out to all of (Hoy's) family. I'll honour her life. She will always have a place in my heart and be my inspiration.' Richards was uninjured and fled the crash scene. She later pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident after causing death and harm. The case will return to court in July for a pre-sentence hearing.
