Mother jailed for crash that killed twin daughters

A mother in Western Australia has been sentenced to two months in jail after a tragic crash killed her twin daughters. Rachel Van Oyen, 32, was driving on Great Eastern Highway when her car went off the road and hit a tree in February 2024. Prosecutors said Van Oyen closed her eyes for a brief moment, causing her to lose control. Her car struck several trees and flipped over, ejecting her seven-year-old daughters, Macey and Riley, who both died from their injuries. Van Oyen only suffered minor injuries and was later released from the hospital. In court, Magistrate Sarah Oliver expressed her sorrow over the loss of the girls. She emphasized that human life is precious and that no punishment could adequately compensate for their deaths. Van Oyen's lawyer described the situation as "every parent's worst nightmare." He argued she was not fatigued and had taken breaks while driving. Outside the court, a friend of the family said the girls were not in appropriate child restraints during the crash, which may have contributed to their injuries. She expressed hope that their deaths would not be in vain and that there should be more awareness around child safety in vehicles. Following her two-month sentence, Van Oyen will be released under a six-month suspended sentence and will also lose her driving privileges for six months. The grieving family continues to feel the deep impact of this tragedy.