Sydney court heard the case of 23-year-old Chinese-Australian Lanlan Yang on August 15, drawing nearly 100 spectators from the local Chinese community. Yang appeared briefly via video link, wearing a black blazer and matching hat. The hearing lasted approximately 10 minutes.
Court records show Yang faces two charges: causing bodily harm through negligent driving (Tier 1 offense) and refusing or failing a breath alcohol test (first-time offense). Her lawyer stated she was not ready to plead guilty or not guilty. The case was adjourned to September 26, with the court granting a waiver for her next appearance.
Following the case’s exposure, online rumors circulated that Yang paid a AU$70 million bail within minutes or held AU$270 billion in assets. Sydney authorities have clarified that these claims are false. Yang was granted bail on July 26 under strict conditions, including reporting to police three times a week, surrendering her passport, remaining indoors at night, and being banned from driving.
The incident involved Yang colliding head-on in her AU$1.4 million Tiffany Blue Rolls-Royce with a Mercedes-Benz, causing severe damage to both vehicles. Under New South Wales law, “negligent conduct causing bodily harm” carries a maximum sentence of seven years, while refusing a breath alcohol test may be treated as a DUI, punishable by license suspension, fines, or imprisonment.