Tubagus Muhammad Joddy Pramas Setya, the driver responsible for the fatal crash that killed actress Vanessa Angel and her husband, Febri “Bibi” Andriansyah, has been sentenced to five years in prison by the Jombang District Court in East Java.
The 24-year-old was found guilty of driving negligence that caused death and injury to others under Indonesia’s Traffic and Road Transport Law. Judge Bambang Setyawan delivered the five-year prison sentence and a fine of IDR10 million (US$696) in lieu of two months’ imprisonment in a sentencing hearing held online yesterday.
Vanessa and Bibi died on site following the crash, which took place on the Jombang section of Nganjuk-Surabaya highway in East Java in early November. The white Pajero SUV driven by Joddy hit a concrete divider on the left side of the toll road, before the vehicle bounced off and spun around, and then coming to a stop. Authorities initially said the driver lost control of the vehicle because he was drowsy.
Joddy was one of three survivors of the single-vehicle accident, alongside the couple’s toddler son Gala Sky Ardiansyah and his caretaker Siska. Joddy reportedly worked as Vanessa’s assistant in the last two years, though he has also dabbled as a photographer for other celebrities.
The judges have also suspended Joddy’s driving license (SIM) for two years, and that his time served under police custody will count towards his prison sentence. The sentence is lighter than the seven-year imprisonment that was previously demanded by the public prosecutors in November.
In addition, the white Pajero SUV driven by Joddy at the time of the crash, the car’s vehicle registration certificate (STNK), and an e-toll card will be returned to Gala as the heir of the victims through his guardian. Joddy said that he will consider the verdict and he has seven days to accept or decide to make an appeal.
