Thi Phuong Ngoc Nguyen, 40, was summonsed to appear before the court on two counts of culpable driving causing death and one count of negligent driving occasioning actual bodily harm. She did not attend in person and was represented by her lawyer, Mitchell Greig, who entered the pleas and requested a date for a pre-hearing mention.
The charges stem from a collision on the morning of August 27 on Gungahlin Drive in Palmerston. Police allege Ms Nguyen was driving a blue Hyundai Accent that struck a group of five cyclists. Bridie Lee, 32, died at the scene, while Ryan Riethmuller, 39, died in hospital a week later. An off-duty nurse and a police officer were among the members of the public who provided assistance while waiting for emergency services.
Ms Lee and Mr Riethmuller were members of the Canberra Bilbys Triathlon Club, and their deaths prompted an outpouring of grief within the local cycling and triathlon community, including a large tribute ride. The case is due to return to court in January 2027.