Shannon Cox, another former AFL player, was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison. This follows a personal experience with tragic, senseless highway crossing crash that resulted in two of his long-time friends being killed. The Brand Highway crash occurred in June of last year. In March, Cox pled guilty to two counts of manslaughter in the second degree.
Cox had 25 matches with the Collingwood Magpies in his three years from 2007. Tragically, with his 12-year-old daughter beside him in the front passenger seat, this dad became a victim, too, of one of the growing number of fatal accidents. Reports indicate that he had been using methamphetamine in the days leading up to the crash. On top of all of that, he was experiencing extreme sleep deprivation.
In the lead-up to the crash On the day of the incident, Cox was turning southbound onto Brand Highway. He then abruptly veered into oncoming traffic, colliding with a truck before careening into the rear of Coral Seinor and Thelma Clausen’s hatchback. The crash was fatal for both older women, 83 and 82 years old. Family members remembered them as selfless and compassionate. They experienced significant heartache as this cherished person was rooted in their small town.
Throughout the trial, poignant and emotional moments were at the forefront. Seinor and Clausen’s daughters read heartbreaking impact statements that vividly brought to life the tragic ramifications of Cox’s actions. The court was not unsympathetic to the plight. They drove home the point that because of Cox’s dangerous choices, two well-respected community members lost their lives in an entirely preventable manner.
Besides his prison time, Cox will be eligible for parole after serving 8.5 years of it. This punitive aspect of his sentencing illustrates a likely avenue for rehabilitation. Unfortunately, it can’t undo the tragic events that took place on that fateful day.
This tragic case serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of drug use and driving while impaired. As communities still healing from such cases know all too well, uplifting road safety over offending drivers and holding them accountable is imperative.
