Mum of twins killed in crash ‘struggling’

Court told mother charged with careless driving over crash that killed her twin daughters struggling

A mother facing charges related to a car accident that resulted in the deaths of her twin daughters four months ago missed her initial court appearance due to personal difficulties.

Rachel van Oyen, 31, was scheduled to attend Northam Magistrates Court on Monday, where she faced two charges of careless driving causing death, grievous bodily harm, or bodily harm.

Authorities allege that on February 18, Ms. van Oyen was driving a Toyota Camry which left the Great Eastern Highway in Western Australia and collided with a tree. This tragic incident resulted in the deaths of her seven-year-old daughters, Macey and Riley, near the Wheatbelt town of Carrabin.

The family had been visiting relatives in Kalgoorlie and were returning to Perth when the accident occurred around 11 a.m.

Despite all three occupants wearing seatbelts, the twins were declared dead at the scene while Ms. van Oyen was transported to the hospital.