Latest news with #MacMahon
7NEWS
3 days ago
- 7NEWS
Former MP Amy MacMahon's drunk driver learns her fate in unexpected courtroom twist
A young woman whose alcohol-fuelled crash left former Greens MP Amy MacMahon critically injured has been spared jail — with the unexpected support of the victim herself. The crash occurred around 6.30 pm on Monday, 12 February 2024, at the busy intersection of Baines Street and Main Street in Kangaroo Point, Brisbane. In a surprising courtroom twist, MacMahon delivered a powerful victim impact statement urging the judge to show mercy to drunk driver Rani Lowry, who critically injured her. MacMahon spent weeks in a coma, suffering a traumatic brain injury after the crash. Red light, high speed, and three times the limit Lowry, 27, was behind the wheel of a Hyundai i30 when she ran a red light at Kangaroo Point last year, slamming into MacMahon's Toyota Prius at high speed. CCTV footage showed Lowry travelling 23 kilometres per hour over the speed limit, and tests revealed she was three times over the legal alcohol limit. The collision left MacMahon fighting for her life. She was rushed to Princess Alexandra Hospital with severe head injuries and a suspected spinal fracture. The crash sent shockwaves through the political community, drawing support from colleagues across party lines and prompting an outpouring of public concern. But it was MacMahon's actions in court on Friday that stunned observers. 'I am willing to help' Despite the life-altering injuries she sustained, the former MP addressed the court with empathy and compassion, asking the judge to consider the young woman's struggles. 'If you need support to be able to devote your time to making the community a better place, I am willing to help,' MacMahon wrote in a deeply moving statement of support for Lowry. Lowry's lawyer told the court she had fallen into a downward spiral of alcohol dependence following the sudden death of her brother. The court also heard she had shown genuine remorse and had taken steps toward rehabilitation. No prison, but a long road ahead While condemning Lowry's actions as 'dangerously reckless,' the judge sentenced her to a three-year parole term, meaning she will not serve time behind bars unless she breaches her parole conditions. The judge acknowledged the exceptional nature of the victim's plea and said MacMahon's compassion carried significant weight in the decision. Elected in 2020, MacMahon quickly became known for her fierce advocacy on issues such as housing, climate change, and social justice. However, the Greens MP lost her South Brisbane seat to a Labor candidate in 2024.
The Age
3 days ago
- The Age
Woman spared jail time over crash that injured MP
A woman will not spend any time behind bars after she sped through a red light while drunk before crashing into a then-Greens MP. Rani Paige Lowry, 27, was charged over the collision that seriously injured Amy MacMahon in Kangaroo Point on February 12, 2024. Lowry was driving at 90km/h in a 60km/h zone around sunset on a Monday evening when she ran a red light at an intersection. As MacMahon started driving when the light turned green, Lowry ploughed into her car. CCTV showed the state MP's vehicle slide 180 degrees near where a pedestrian was about to cross the road, while Lowry's car skidded 60 metres south. Lowry watched the CCTV footage played to Brisbane District Court on Friday, wiping her eyes and sniffling as she broke down in tears. Data showed Lowry's car accelerated five seconds before the crash and did not apply the brakes as she hit MacMahon's at 83km/h. Both were taken to the hospital, where MacMahon was in a coma for some time, suffering a traumatic brain injury and damage to her carotid artery.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Woman spared jail time over crash that injured MP
A woman will not spend any time behind bars after she sped through a red light while drunk before crashing into a then-Greens MP. Rani Paige Lowry, 27, was charged over the collision that seriously injured Amy MacMahon in Kangaroo Point on February 12, 2024. Lowry was driving at 90km/h in a 60km/h zone around sunset on a Monday evening when she ran a red light at an intersection. As MacMahon started driving when the light turned green, Lowry ploughed into her car. CCTV showed the state MP's vehicle slide 180 degrees near where a pedestrian was about to cross the road, while Lowry's car skidded 60 metres south. Lowry watched the CCTV footage played to Brisbane District Court on Friday, wiping her eyes and sniffling as she broke down in tears. Data showed Lowry's car accelerated five seconds before the crash and did not apply the brakes as she hit MacMahon's at 83km/h. Both were taken to the hospital, where MacMahon was in a coma for some time, suffering a traumatic brain injury and damage to her carotid artery.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Perth Now
Woman spared jail time over crash that injured MP
A woman will not spend any time behind bars after she sped through a red light while drunk before crashing into a then-Greens MP. Rani Paige Lowry, 27, was charged over the collision that seriously injured Amy MacMahon in Kangaroo Point on February 12, 2024. Lowry was driving at 90km/h in a 60km/h zone around sunset on a Monday evening when she ran a red light at an intersection. As Dr MacMahon started driving when the light turned green, Lowry ploughed into her car. CCTV showed the state MP's vehicle slide 180 degrees near where a pedestrian was about to cross the road, while Lowry's car skidded 60 metres south. Lowry watched the CCTV footage played to Brisbane District Court on Friday, wiping her eyes and sniffling as she broke down in tears. Data showed Lowry's car accelerated five seconds before the crash and did not apply the brakes as she hit Dr MacMahon's at 83km/h. Both were taken to the hospital, where Dr MacMahon was in a coma for some time, suffering a traumatic brain injury and damage to her carotid artery. Judge David Kent said it is a miracle of modern engineering that no one was killed. Lowry returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.186, which is more than three times the legal limit. Dr MacMahon was in hospital for two weeks and underwent treatment for six months. Despite the seriousness of her injuries, Dr MacMahon, who did not appear in court, asked in her victim impact statement for Lowry not to serve any time but to undergo rehabilitation to ensure this "never, ever happens again". She even offered to help Lowry find community work for her rehabilitation. Judge Kent commended the "compassion and emotional maturity" of Dr MacMahon's statement. The court was told Lowry's father had been killed in a car crash years earlier. Lowry had relapsed into her long-held alcohol dependency, caused by childhood trauma and the recent death of her brother, before the incident, her lawyer Jack Kennedy told the court. On the afternoon of the crash, Lowry had gone to a venue with friends for emotional support but drank excessively before leaving and causing the crash. She had expressed extreme remorse since the incident, suffering such shame and guilt that she considered ending her own life, Mr Kennedy said. Lowry wrote a letter to Dr MacMahon to apologise for the crash and wanted to see the former MP in person to express her remorse. Lowry pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a vehicle causing grievous bodily harm while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance. She was sentenced to three years' imprisonment and was eligible for parole on Friday, meaning she would not spend any time in custody. Judge Kent said Lowry should never pick up another alcoholic drink in her life. "This is a serious example of dangerous operation while intoxicated which had serious consequences," he said. Dr MacMahon lost her South Brisbane seat in the October state election.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dallas Mavericks won't trade No. 1 pick, will draft Cooper Flagg: Report
The Dallas Mavericks do not plan to trade the No. 1 overall pick and will draft top prospect Cooper Flagg, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon. The Mavericks won the right to draft Flagg in Monday night's NBA Draft Lottery, despite their 1.8% odds of owning the No. 1 pick. Per MacMahon, Mavs governor Patrick Dumont believes the opportunity to draft Flagg is a "gift," and while general manager Nico Harrison runs basketball operations, MacMahon will make the final call. This breaking news story will be updated.
