A woman who lost her unborn baby in a three-way crash is suing the driver responsible.
Elodie Aldridge, 34, of Katunga, is claiming damages against Chrystle Olivia Kemp, 28, of Shepparton, in the Common Law Division of the County Court.
The claim was filed on June 19, by LHD Lawyers, relating to a fatal car crash in Shepparton East on October 20, 2023, where Kemp didn’t stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Old Dookie Rd and Boundary Rd.
Kemp was hit on either side by cars travelling in opposite directions on Boundary Rd.
Mrs Aldridge – who was 34 weeks pregnant with her first child, a baby boy named Remi – was in one of the cars.
Remi suffered fatal injuries in-utero and was delivered stillborn.
A statement of claim made as part of a court action alleges the accident was caused by the negligence of Kemp.
The statement also claims Mrs Aldridge has suffered injury, loss, including loss of earnings and earning capacity, and damage from the crash.
Five-year-old Savannah Kemp, who was Kemp’s niece and a back-seat passenger in her car, suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene.
Kemp pleaded guilty to criminal charges dangerous driving causing the death and dangerous driving causing serious injury, to Savannah and Mrs Aldridge, respectively.
Judge Geoffery Chettle sentenced Kemp in the Shepparton County Court to a two-year community corrections order, with 250 hours of community work on November 22, 2024.
He also ordered that she receive psychological, neuropsychological and psychiatrist treatment for mental health conditions and that up to 50 hours of treatment can count towards her community work hours.
Kemp avoided prison time, due to a combination of medical conditions she suffered, and scheduled surgeries she wouldn’t have been able to have, had she been jailed.
Kemp was also disqualified from driving for 18 months.
The court is yet to decide on the claim made in the Common Law Division.