WA Mother Stacey Cunningham Found Guilty of Careless Driving Causing Death of Two Children, Spared Jail Time

Incident Overview
A West Australian mother , Stacey Leigh Cunningham , has been found guilty of careless driving causing death following a tragic crash near Greenough , approximately 400 kilometers north of Perth, on the WA Day long weekend in June 2020 . The collision claimed the lives of her 10-year-old daughter, Harmonie Cunningham , and her seven-year-old stepson, Nate Stewart .

Cunningham was sentenced to a 12-month suspended jail term and disqualified from driving for six months after being convicted of all charges, including careless driving causing serious injury to a family friend, Cameron Byfield , who survived the crash.

The court heard that Cunningham failed to observe a give-way sign at an intersection, resulting in her vehicle being struck by an oncoming utility. During police interviews, she admitted to being distracted by her GPS at the time of the crash.

Location and Time

• Crash Date: WA Day long weekend in June 2020.
• Location: Intersection near Greenough, Western Australia (south-east of Geraldton).

Vehicles Involved

• A sedan driven by Stacey Cunningham, carrying four passengers: herself, her daughter Harmonie, her stepson Nate, and Cameron Byfield.
• An oncoming utility vehicle that collided with Cunningham’s car at the intersection.

Injuries/Fatalities

• Fatalities:
  • Harmonie Cunningham, 10 (daughter).
  • Nate Stewart, 7 (stepson).
• Serious Injuries: Cameron Byfield, 31, sustained serious injuries but survived.

Court Proceedings
Cunningham went on trial in 2023 after pleading not guilty to the charges. On Wednesday, April 23, 2025 , Magistrate Sandra De Maio delivered her verdict:

• Cunningham was found guilty of **careless driving causing death** (two counts) and **careless driving causing serious injury**.
• She received a **12-month suspended sentence** and had her driver’s license disqualified for **six months**.

Magistrate De Maio acknowledged Cunningham’s genuine remorse and highlighted the devastating impact of the crash on both Cunningham and the families of the victims.

“I want to stress I think you’re a good person. You’ll always be a good person. You made a horrible mistake.”
— Magistrate Sandra De Maio

The magistrate emphasized that while Cunningham was not paying the required care and attention, her culpability was compounded by the trust placed in her by the children’s parents.

“There are other parents affected by this who trusted you with their children.”
— Magistrate Sandra De Maio

Family Statements
Outside the court, Amy Scott , the mother of Nate Stewart, expressed her thoughts on the outcome:

• “I don’t take any joy from the outcome, but I do feel it acknowledges that the lives of two innocent children mattered and that their loss was preventable.”
• “I ask that we remember Nate and Harmonie today and every day as more than victims of a crash but as the bright, loving children they were.”

“I ask that we remember Nate and Harmonie today and every day as more than victims of a crash but as the bright, loving children they were.”
— Amy Scott, mother of Nate Stewart

Key Factors in the Crash

• Cunningham admitted during police interviews that she was distracted by her GPS at the time of the crash.
• Evidence showed that Cunningham failed to observe a warning sign and a give-way sign at the intersection.
• The intersection was described as challenging, but the court found Cunningham’s failure to exercise due care and attention directly contributed to the collision.

Community Impact
This tragic incident has left a lasting impact on the local community, particularly given the loss of two young lives. The case underscores the importance of road safety, especially in rural areas where intersections may present unique challenges.