A Townsville man has been sentenced to nine years in prison after driving at speed into a line of traffic while high on methylamphetamine, killing two young people. Ayden John McLennan, 32, pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter and one count of possessing a dangerous drug in the Supreme Court in Townsville.
The crash occurred on June 23, 2021, at Mutarnee, north of Townsville, killing 26-year-old Holly May Stewart and 23-year-old Daniel Graham Mitchell. The victims were parked in the southbound lane of the Bruce Highway with hazard lights on when McLennan crashed his Toyota into their cars. Ms Stewart died instantly, and Mr Mitchell died within minutes.
Crown Prosecutor Andrew Walklate told the court that the traffic was “highly visible” due to an earlier fatal crash, and McLennan drove towards it “at speed” using high beams. Witnesses reported the vehicle was revving and did not brake or swerve before impact. Police found McLennan disorientated after the crash, asking, “Did I fall asleep?” A clip seal bag containing over 24 grams of methylamphetamine was found near him.
In victim impact statements, Erica Stewart, mother of Holly, wrote of her grandchildren searching for their mother “every day,” adding, “There is a gaping hole in my family that should not be there.” Millisha-Maree Salvemini, sister of Daniel, said, “A stranger’s choice stole our family’s hopes and dreams.”
Justice David North described McLennan’s actions as “reckless in the extreme” and noted his significant criminal and traffic history, including driving while disqualified and drug offending. McLennan was sentenced to nine years for each manslaughter charge, to be served concurrently, plus 20 months for drug possession. He will be eligible for parole after serving half his sentence.
