Wilkes was charged with dangerous driving causing death and initially pleaded guilty. However, a year later, she altered her plea, claiming to have fainted while driving, based on an assessment by a cardiology professor.
The Office of Public Prosecutions accepted Wilkes’ account and decided to drop the case without trial, a decision the Rapsons claim was made without their input.
Jim expressed his frustration to A Current Affair, stating: “Here we have someone who’s lost their life and the person who caused the accident walks away free. We were corralled into a small room (by the OPP) and told the case would be discontinued, and then we were cast into the street. There was no support, there was nothing.”
While grappling with their son’s loss, the Rapsons encountered further distress when Wilkes sought a personal intervention order (PSIO) against them, effectively making them feel like criminals.
In a January interview, Susie, Corey’s mother, explained: “She was seeking to keep us quiet for her safety. But we don’t even live in Melbourne, we’ve only met her in court and I don’t know how – we’re not violent people.”
The intervention order restricted them from even maintaining an Instagram account in memory of Corey. Ultimately, the PSIO was rescinded, contingent on the Rapsons agreeing not to discuss Wilkes for a year.
Now that the order has expired, the family is free to share their experiences. Jim stated: “Personally, I’ve never spoken to this individual at all. I’ve never communicated with her at all.”
During her police interview, Wilkes reportedly denied experiencing blackouts or seizures, saying ‘I don’t think so.’ Doubting her account, the family requested a case review, which was denied.
“They decided that no, it’s done and dusted now,” Jim remarked, “Somehow we became the bad guys. We’ve actually spent more time in court than the driver, to be honest.”
In memory of Corey, the family has raised $13,137 for the Alfred hospital, where he spent three weeks in a coma before his passing.