World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Driver pleads not guilty over Canberra crash that killed two cyclists
Thi Phuong Ngoc Nguyen has denied three driving charges over a fatal crash in Canberra.
The 40-year-old is accused of culpable driving causing the deaths of two people and negligent driving that caused injury.
The crash struck five cyclists on Gunghalin Drive in Palmerston, Canberra’s north, on August 27.
Bridie Lee, 32, died at the scene, and Ryan Riethmuller, 39, died in hospital a week later.
The other cyclists were injured, and members of the public helped them before emergency services arrived.
Two members of the Canberra triathlon community died, prompting hundreds of mourners to join a tribute ride.
The case is due back in court in January 2027.
Thi Phuong Ngoc Nguyen has pleaded not guilty to charges over a crash that killed two cyclists in Canberra.
The crash happened on Gunghalin Drive in Palmerston at about 6:20am on August 27.
Bridie Lee, 32, died at the scene, and Ryan Riethmuller, 39, died in hospital a week later.
Five cyclists were struck by a blue Hyundai Accent.
The case is due to return to the ACT Magistrates Court in January 2027.
- Who
- Thi Phuong Ngoc Nguyen, 40, is charged over the crash that killed cyclists Bridie Lee and Ryan Riethmuller.
- What
- Nguyen pleaded not guilty to two counts of culpable driving causing death and one count of negligent driving occasioning actual bodily harm.
- When
- The crash happened at about 6:20am on August 27. Nguyen entered her pleas on October 20, 2026.
- Where
- Gunghalin Drive in Palmerston, in Canberra's north.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Five cyclists were struck by a blue Hyundai Accent on Gunghalin Drive in Palmerston.
Bridie Lee died at the scene.
Ryan Riethmuller died in hospital.
Nguyen's lawyer entered not guilty pleas to all charges in the ACT Magistrates Court.
The case is due to return to court.
- Defendant
- Thi Phuong Ngoc Nguyen, 40
- Victims
- Bridie Lee, 32; Ryan Riethmuller, 39
- Location
- Gunghalin Drive, Palmerston, Canberra
- Vehicle
- Blue Hyundai Accent
- Charges
- Two counts of culpable driving causing death; one count of negligent driving occasioning actual bodily harm
- Next court date
- January 2027