Rachel Van Oyen pleads guilty over crash that killed twin daughters east of Perth

A WA mother has pleaded guilty to careless driving causing death over the Wheatbelt crash that killed her twin daughters earlier this year.

Rachel van Oyen was driving on Great Eastern Hwy in Carrabin, 300km east of Perth, when her Toyota Camry left the road and struck a tree in February.

Her seven-year-old daughters Macey and Riley died from their injuries.

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Van Oyen, from Halls Head, was charged with two counts of careless driving causing death.

On Monday she pleaded guilty to those charges in Northam Magistrates Court.

Rachel van Oyen has pleaded guilty to careless driving over the crash that killed her seven-year-old daughters.
Rachel van Oyen has pleaded guilty to careless driving over the crash that killed her seven-year-old daughters. Credit: Supplied/Rachel van Oyen

The fatal incident came as they returned to Perth after seeing family in Kalgoorlie.

Van Oyen said previously “there are still no words to describe this emptiness and pain I’m drowning in”.

“It should have been me. What I would give to take your places, my precious girls,” she said in a tribute to her girls.

“I have never felt so helpless as I did that day. All I could do was try to hold you briefly even though you’d both grown wings.

“Nothing makes sense now, you two were my absolute world and nothing made me more complete than being your mother.

“I hope you both know how truly sorry I am.”

Twins Macey and Riley were killed in a car crash in February. Their mother, Rachel van Oyen, was charged.
Twins Macey and Riley were killed in a car crash in February. Their mother, Rachel van Oyen, was charged. Credit: 7NEWS
The crash occurred as the family returned home to Perth’s south.
The crash occurred as the family returned home to Perth’s south. Credit: 7NEWS

Glowing social media posts by loved ones described the girls as “magical little twins” and “true sunshine souls”.

WA Premier Roger Cook previously described the incident as an “absolute tragedy”.

Van Oyen will be sentenced in March.

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