Perth Mother Sentenced to Two Months for Fatal Crash that Killed Twin Daughters

Rachel Van Oyen, a 32-year-old mother from Perth, has been sentenced to two months in prison for careless driving that resulted in the tragic death of her twin daughters. The fatal crash occurred last February when Van Oyen’s vehicle veered off Great Eastern Highway and collided with a tree between Merredin and Southern Cross, approximately 350 kilometers east of Perth.

During the court proceedings, prosecutors revealed that Van Oyen had momentarily closed her eyes while driving, leading her to drift onto the wrong side of the road. Her car struck multiple trees before flipping over. Unfortunately, her daughters, Macey and Riley James, were ejected from the vehicle and suffered fatal injuries.

Van Oyen sustained minor injuries in the accident and was taken to Merredin Hospital, from where she was later released. After initially declining to participate in a police interview, she was charged in May and ultimately pleaded guilty to the charges last year.