A young woman whose car swerved into the path of a Brisbane taxi driver, killing him, has been jailed for three-and-a-half years.
Eloise Diandra Anakapu, 21, was found guilty on Friday of dangerous driving causing the death of taxi driver Vid Luckus, 70, and grievous bodily harm to her ex-boyfriend.
Anakapu's hatchback swerved across two lanes and careened into the path of Mr Luckus's cab on the Story Bridge in central Brisbane about 4.45am (AEST) on April 12, 2013.
The grandfather was still alive when firefighters freed him from the wreckage, but he died in hospital that day.
Anakapu and her then boyfriend were seriously injured in the crash, which closed the busy bridge during peak hour.
The Brisbane District Court heard the provisional licence holder had been sleep-deprived, speeding and affected by alcohol when her car hit the taxi.
The nursing home assistant became hysterical when the jury returned its verdict on Friday, and the court had to be adjourned.
She sobbed and gasped for breath and at one point lay across the seats in the dock, while relatives and friends called out in support from the public gallery.
Anakapu's mother was granted permission to enter the dock to comfort her daughter before she was sentenced.
Mr Luckus's sister paid tribute to the former teacher, who had been looking forward that day to celebrating his son's 40th birthday.
"Every yellow cab we see on the road reminds us of Vid," Valentina Luckus told the court during her victim impact statement.
Judge Brian Devereaux acknowledged the possibility that Anakapu's boyfriend pulled the wheel before the crash, causing her to spin it too hard the other way.
However, the judge said it did not change the outcome.
"These are very sad cases because there are tragic consequences on several sides," he said.
Anakapu will be eligible for parole in April 2016.
She has been disqualified from driving for three-and-a-half years.
Share
