A teenager from Western Australia has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty on the first day of his trial for the death of Caitlyn Bragger. The young man will serve his sentence in an adult correctional facility since he was still contesting the charges when he turned 18. He is eligible for parole in nine and a half months.

The 18-year-old has received a 19-month prison sentence after admitting to causing the death of a 15-year-old girl involved in a four-wheel drive accident. The incident occurred in June 2025 when Caitlyn Bragger was killed after the driver, who was 16 at the time, rolled a modified four-wheel drive while performing dangerous maneuvers known as “snakies” on a gravel road near Logue Brook Dam, approximately 200 kilometers south of Perth. At the time of the accident, there were six teenagers in the vehicle.

The case was scheduled for a week-long trial in Busselton Children’s Court; however, on Monday, the accused changed his plea to guilty on one count of dangerous driving causing death. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm and three counts of causing bodily harm. Due to legal restrictions, the offender’s identity cannot be disclosed.

During the court proceedings, Prosecutor James Nicholl recounted that the teenagers were camping and went driving around 8 PM. The four-wheel drive had been modified without authorization, featuring a lifted suspension, oversized tires, and a rooftop tent. The court was informed that the driver was swerving on a dimly lit road when Caitlyn expressed her alarm just before the vehicle crashed.

Mr. Nicholl argued for an immediate custodial sentence, noting that the individual had initially denied the dangerous driving allegations but changed his stance when it became apparent that the other passengers would testify otherwise. He emphasized that the decision to drive recklessly was solely the offender’s, despite passengers urging him to drive more carefully. He acknowledged the young man’s remorse but highlighted the profound loss suffered by Caitlyn’s mother, who lost her only daughter.

Defense attorney Derek Hunter described the offender’s actions as indicative of a novice driver’s poor judgment. He stated that the teenager admitted to performing “snakies” but denied speeding or accelerating excessively. The court heard that while some passengers had been consuming alcohol, the driver had not. Mr. Hunter explained that the adolescent accepted his erratic driving and speculated that the darkness and thrill contributed to his behavior. He expressed that the last maneuver led to a loss of control, resulting in a tragic outcome that the young man would regret for the rest of his life. The offender also sustained injuries in the crash.

Mr. Hunter mentioned that the teenager’s recollection of the accident was limited and characterized his behavior as out of character. The court was made aware that the young man was struggling emotionally in the aftermath of the incident, with full support from his family. He described the event as “the greatest mistake he could make.”

Children’s Court President Hylton Quail remarked on the delayed guilty plea, which indicated the time taken for the defendant to accept responsibility for his actions. Judge Quail noted that the young man had referred to his behavior as foolish, acknowledging his recognition of his reckless actions.

As part of the sentence, Judge Quail suspended the offender’s driver’s license for three years and reiterated that he would serve his time in an adult facility due to his continued contestation of the charges until after turning 18. The judge expressed regret over the timing of the guilty plea, stating that it would have been more appropriate if it had been made prior to the young man reaching adulthood. Judge Quail acknowledged the young man’s employment history and previously good character, emphasizing the significant impact of the crash on both him and the surviving passengers. He described the young man as deeply affected by Caitlyn’s death, noting that he had been characterized as a broken and sorrowful individual.

Caitlyn’s mother, Sarah Highwood, expressed that some form of justice had been served, though she acknowledged it would never feel sufficient. She stated that the time in prison could provide the offender with an opportunity to reflect on his actions. She cautioned against reckless driving, emphasizing the tragic consequences that can arise from such behavior, as exemplified by her daughter’s untimely death.