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Incident Overview
Gulet Mohammed Ahmed, 40, has been sentenced to 14 years and nine months in jail for causing a fatal crash in Carlton, Melbourne, while under the influence of methylamphetamine and alcohol. The incident occurred on March 11, 2023, and resulted in the death of 16-year-old Katherine Antonia Osborne and injuries to four other people.
Location and Time
The fatal crash happened at 11:53 am on March 11, 2023, at the intersection of Elgin Street and Lygon Street in Carlton, Melbourne.
Vehicles Involved
The crash involved two vehicles: a Volkswagen sedan driven by Gulet Mohammed Ahmed and an Alfa Romeo carrying the Osborne family.
Incident Description
Ahmed was observed driving erratically and at high speed through Flemington before the crash. He ran a red light at Curzon Street and collided with another vehicle, then reversed and drove away. He proceeded to run two more red lights, the final one at the intersection of Elgin and Lygon Streets, where he collided with the Osborne family’s Alfa Romeo. The impact pushed the Alfa Romeo into a pole, which then struck two pedestrians crossing the street.
Injuries/Fatalities
Katherine Antonia Osborne, 16, who was a passenger in the backseat of the Alfa Romeo, died as a result of the crash. Her parents, Michael and Alexandra Osborne, who were also in the car, sustained injuries. Two pedestrians, Travis Oliver and Jeffrey Broussard, were also injured when the Alfa Romeo hit them.
Driver’s Actions After the Crash
Ahmed’s reckless behavior continued after the crash. He exited his vehicle and behaved erratically, yelling and assaulting a bystander who tried to calm him down. He also resisted arrest and refused a breathalyzer test.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
In June 2024, Ahmed pleaded guilty to culpable driving causing death, three charges of conduct endangering persons, and drug possession. On December 11, 2024, he was sentenced to a maximum of 14 years and nine months in jail, with a non-parole period of 10 years and nine months.
Judge’s Remarks
Judge Anne Hassan condemned Ahmed’s actions, describing him as a “grave danger to anyone” and highlighting the devastating impact of his reckless driving on the victims and their families. She emphasized that Ahmed had multiple opportunities to stop driving after the initial collision but chose to continue, ultimately leading to the fatal crash.
Community Impact
This tragic incident has deeply affected the families of the victims and the wider community. It serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of drug and alcohol-impaired driving and the devastating consequences that can result from reckless behavior behind the wheel.
Contributing Factors
The primary contributing factors to the crash were Ahmed’s drug and alcohol intoxication, his excessive speed, and his disregard for traffic signals. His erratic and dangerous driving behavior demonstrated a complete lack of concern for the safety of others on the road.