Her family remembers Alicia Celaya Jauregui as a person who was always dedicated to helping others. Photo: Supplied.
The family of a tennis coach killed by a speeding P-plater said they will always remember the beloved member of their family, before her killer was sentenced to a total of three years’ jail.
Alicia Celaya Jauregui died after she was hit by 18-year-old Ronan Jason Grey’s car while riding her bike on Lady Denman Drive in Canberra on 20 March 2024.
Earlier this year, the 36-year-old’s family told the ACT Supreme Court about her and her life, stating that she was generous, empathetic, and always dedicated to helping others.
She was born in Uruguay and began working in Canberra as a tennis coach in February 2024.
In a statement to Region before Grey’s sentencing, her family said, “Aly is present today, and together we are observing that every action has consequences”.
“As a family, we want to thank each and every one of the wonderful people who got involved and worked to bring justice and to ensure that this act does not go unnoticed,” her family said.
“Aly will remain eternally in our hearts.
“We are continuing to try not to give up, finding a peaceful life is part of the impact of her legacy.”
Grey pleaded guilty to a charge of culpable driving causing death before he faced a packed courtroom in the ACT Supreme Court on Tuesday (18 November).
The now-20-year-old was sentenced to a total of three years’ jail, with the remainder to be suspended after he spent 15 months in custody.
Alicia Celaya Jauregui moved to Canberra to work as a tennis coach. Photo: Supplied by Ms Celaya Jauregui’s family.
Acting Justice Paul Slattery said Grey was speeding when he overtook another car, driving across double white lines onto the wrong side of the road, before travelling “out of control” towards a pedestrian crossing.
His car again crossed onto the wrong side of the road, slid and hit Ms Celaya Jauregui on her bicycle, throwing her and her bike 40 metres.
Bystanders and paramedics tried to resuscitate her, but she suffered multiple injuries that were not survivable.
Acting Justice Slattery said Grey had been driving an uninsured, unregistered and unroadworthy car with bald tyres that carried fake number plates.
He said Grey still chose to drive that day, despite knowing everything wrong with the car, while he claimed his reason for driving was to deliver a letter to a friend.
“You knew that you were making bad decisions,” Acting Justice Slattery told him.
“You accept that your actions have deprived the world of an exceptional woman.
“The dangerous driving led you to lose control of this uninsured, unroadworthy vehicle and the catastrophic consequences that followed.”
Grey, who worked in hospitality as a bar manager, apologised to Ms Celaya Jauregui’s family and expressed his deep remorse.
The son of a former police officer, he experienced a traumatic childhood and had been diagnosed with several mental health conditions.
He chose to enter custody after his sentencing hearing in August. As his sentence was backdated to account for time served, he will be released in November 2026 if he enters a three-year good behaviour order. He will then be disqualified from driving for two years.
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