International Student Sentenced to Jail for Horrific Burswood Car Meet Crash
An international student from Hong Kong has been sentenced to jail after a high-speed crash at a Burswood car meet left a teenage girl with life-threatening injuries. Chun Lai Yuen, 25, was driving at grossly excessive speeds when he struck 17-year-old Caitlyn Dickson, sending her somersaulting through the air.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The collision occurred on the night of July 14 during the "Monday Meets" gathering outside Crown Casino. Caitlyn Dickson was stepping out onto Camfield Drive when Yuen's Honda Civic struck her at approximately 85km/h, despite the area having a 40km/h speed limit. Mobile phone footage captured the horrifying moment when the teenager was flung about four metres through the air.
Yuen had been travelling at about 105km/h moments before the impact, slowing down just before striking the victim. Approximately 200 spectators were lining the street at the time of the incident, creating a crowded and dangerous environment.
Severe Injuries and Emergency Response
Caitlyn Dickson suffered catastrophic injuries that required emergency surgery to save her life. Her injuries included:
- A torn aorta
- Fractured pelvis and elbow
- Tears to her bladder and spleen
The teenager required metal plates and pins to be inserted into her pelvis and elbow, and she continues to suffer from restricted movement. Medical professionals discovered an aneurysm in her neck that requires ongoing monitoring, and there are concerns about potential long-term psychological trauma.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
During sentencing at Perth Magistrates Court, Magistrate Robert Young acknowledged Yuen's genuine remorse but emphasized the seriousness of the offense. Yuen had pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm in circumstances of aggravation at an early stage of proceedings.
Magistrate Young noted that Yuen claimed he wasn't participating in the car meet but was rushing home due to hernia pain, though the court could make no definitive finding on this claim. The magistrate also addressed Yuen's removal of an SD card from his dash cam before police arrived, which has never been recovered.
Defence counsel Stephen McGrath submitted that a visiting friend had urged Yuen to remove the card "for safekeeping," and it may have fallen from his pocket. Despite this, Yuen was not charged in relation to the missing evidence.
Family Impact and Emotional Statements
The victim's father, Paul Dickson, submitted a letter to the court describing the profound impact on their family. "We hope and pray Caitlyn does not suffer long term psychological injury," he wrote. "We hope that we can process what we have witnessed."
Outside court, Caitlyn's mother Bec Dickson fought back tears as she spoke with reporters. "My daughter's got to deal with a lot of things and she's got a life-threatening injury still," she said. "She's hoping that she can still have children."
Magistrate's Remarks and Final Sentence
Magistrate Young noted that Yuen had shown "acute psychological distress and overwhelming grief" since the incident, describing his remorse as "genuine" and "abject." The magistrate acknowledged Yuen as otherwise being a diligent person of good character with virtually zero prospect of reoffending.
However, Magistrate Young emphasized that general deterrence was crucial in such cases. "In this case the speed was grossly excessive," he stated. "It could not be suggested you were unaware there was a large number of people milling around."
The court sentenced Yuen to 16 months imprisonment, with eligibility for parole after serving eight months. Upon his release, his driver's licence will be disqualified for three years. His lawyer indicated that Yuen was "not exactly keen to get on the road" following the traumatic incident.
As the proceedings concluded, Caitlyn's mother offered a simple message: "Learn a lesson. Don't do it again." The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of dangerous driving in crowded areas.
