Overview of the Case
A former Australian Football League (AFL) player, Shannon Cox, has been sentenced to more than a decade in prison for the deaths of two women in a head-on crash on Brand Highway near Cooljarloo, about 170 kilometres north of Perth. The victims, lifelong friends Thelma Clausen and Coral Seinor, were on their way to a Country Women’s Association (CWA) event when their vehicle collided with Cox’s car. The ruling marks a high-profile outcome in a case that drew significant public attention in Western Australia.
What Happened on the Day
In June last year, Cox’s Toyota Prado drifted onto the wrong side of the Brand Highway. The vehicle struck a road train trailer, spun, and then collided with the trailer again before hitting a hatchback carrying Clausen and Seinor. The two women, both aged in their 80s and long-time friends, died at the scene. Investigators found that Cox had methamphetamine in his system at the time of the crash and that he had limited sleep, raising questions about fatigue as a contributing factor.
Meth Use and Prior Offences
Prosecutors highlighted that Cox admitted to using methylamphetamine days before the crash, noting that he had two prior convictions for driving with meth in his system, in 2022 and 2023. He was on a community-based order for those offences when the fatal crash occurred and had breached bail on two occasions by using meth while under supervision.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Cox pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter. His lawyer, Paul Holmes, described the day of the crash as a moment when Cox, under significant personal stress, decided to drive from Geraldton to Perth in an attempt to reunite his family after his wife’s release from custody. The court heard that Cox’s daughter was a passenger in the Prado and sustained minor injuries.
Justice Stephen Lemonis acknowledged the devastating impact of Cox’s actions, noting the lasting harm to Clausen’s and Seinor’s families. Cox’s criminal history, including drug offences and driving offences, was a central consideration in the sentencing. The judge described the incident as a “fateful mistake” with far-reaching consequences for many people beyond the immediate victims.
Victim Impact and Community Response
During the sentencing hearing, members of the public gallery wept as victim impact statements were read. Leanne Clausen spoke of the loss of her mother, a community-minded woman who touched many lives, while Suzanne Seinor described her mother as the “heart of our family.” The statements underscored the human cost of the crash and the disruption to the families and friends who depended on the two women.
Sentence Details and Conditions
Cox was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison, with the term backdated to October 2024. He will be eligible for parole after serving eight years and six months. Additionally, he is disqualified from holding a driver’s licence for four years after release, reflecting the severity of the offence and the risk associated with returning to the road.
Impact on Community Safety and Reform Debates
The case has reignited discussions about road safety, substance-use policies, and accountability for drivers who disobey traffic laws while under the influence. Advocates for safer roads point to the tragedy as a stark reminder of how fatigue, drug use, and poor decision-making can lead to irreversible losses. The judge’s statements about the consequences for families are often cited in debates about sentencing guidelines and the need for stronger preventative measures.
