Teenager sentenced to seven years' prison over fatal car crash

A teenage boy has been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for killing a 69-year-old grandmother in a car crash while driving a stolen vehicle.

Rosemary Franzidis died at the scene after her white Toyota Corolla was struck by a blue Audi driven by the then 16-year-old on November 7, 2024, in Murrumba Downs, north of Brisbane.

The court heard that the teenager had taken a "constellation of drugs" before embarking on a "series of violent offences", which culminated in the death of Ms Franzidis.

On the morning of the crash, the 16-year-old and two acquaintances had driven around the Moreton Bay area in a Holden Barina, approaching three different people and using a replica firearm in an attempt to rob them.

The final victim, a Ms Robertson, was driving her blue Audi to an art class when she was stopped and threatened with the replica gun into handing over her car keys.

The 16-year-old then drove off in her vehicle, and 13 minutes later, collided with Ms Franzidis.

During those 13 minutes, the defendant drove at high speed, weaving in and out of traffic and running red lights while often on the phone to his accomplices in the Barina.

Ms Franzidis, who had a green light to turn across the intersection, was then hit.

Tribute to the victim

Victim impact statements read to the court by Ms Franzidis' daughter Alexia and her husband Jean-Paul Franzidis described her as an "adored mother, grandmother, wife and friend to many".

"She was far more than a mother," Alexia Franzidis said.

"She was our best friend, confidant … our constant. She made us feel special, cared for, and heard."

Ms Franzidis's family paid tribute to her as an "adored mother, grandmother, wife and friend to many".

She described the lasting impact of the family's loss, and their enormous grief that three grandchildren had been "deprived of years of memories" with their grandmother.

Jean-Paul and Rosemary Franzidis were married for 49-years before she was killed and were planning her 70th birthday just before it happened.

Jean-Paul said he had been traumatised by the thought of what she went through in the moments leading up to the crash, and afterwards.

Despite the enormous pain of her passing, he showed grace towards the young man responsible for her death.

"I want the young man in the dock to find someone that chooses him and loves him … in the way Rose loved me."

Sentence handed down

In sentencing, Justice Kerri Mellifont described the offenders' actions as "truly awful".

"I cannot even begin to describe the level of dangerousness," she said.

She said the now 18-year-old's "disgraceful unlawfulness" had a "devastating and enduring impact" on the Franzidis family.

However, in handing down the seven-and-a-half-year sentence, she also noted the defendant had a difficult childhood, was using drugs to cope with depression and anxiety, and had been the victim of domestic violence.

She ordered he serve 50 per cent of his sentence behind bars before being released on an adult parole order.

Given he has been in custody for nearly two years, he will be released in 2028.

The judge ordered he also be handed a 28-month ban before he can apply for a driving licence through the courts.