A French tourist who caused a road accident that killed 17-year-old model and Miss World contestant Elyse Miller-Kennedy in far north Queensland has been given a suspended sentence by a District Court judge in Cairns.

Cindy Gonin, 25, was driving on the Burke Development Road, west of Mareeba, when she drifted to the wrong side of the road, causing a head-on collision with Ms Miller-Kennedy in August 2016.

Ms Miller-Kennedy's car rolled, trapping her by the legs and chest.

She suffered significant head injuries and fractured bones and died nine days later.

Gonin pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death last month.

The court heard she had a lapse in concentration and the bent section of road where the vehicles collided was such neither driver would have had sufficient time to react.

Gonin had only driven on Australian roads a few times in the three months she was in the country before the accident.

Cindy Gonin (centre) pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death. ( ABC News: Tim Swanston )

'Harrowing' victim impact statements from family

At Monday's sentencing, the court heard the family of Ms Miller-Kennedy submitted "harrowing" victim impact statements describing their loss, but had not attended as they found the ordeal to be too painful.

Gonin's barrister, Michael Dalton, told the court his client now lived with "significant psychological and physical injuries" and had a tattoo of the date of the fatal crash on her neck.

"I wish to start my submission by acknowledging the immeasurable loss suffered by Elyse's family and the ongoing impact her death is clearly having upon them," Mr Dalton told the court.

"Your honour has read the pre-sentence victim impact statements — they are harrowing — no-one should have to bear so much pain.

"There is not a day that passes that my client does not think about Elyse and her family and the consequences of her actions — she [Gonin] is deeply remorseful and profoundly sorry."

In sentencing, Judge Michael Shanahan said the collision had a devastating impact on Ms Miller-Kennedy's family.

"She was only 17 years of age at the time and had an extremely bright future ahead of her — nothing I say or do can lessen that impact," he said.

Gonin received a two-year sentence, wholly suspended, with Judge Shanahan describing Gonin as being in a "special category".

"The impact itself has had significant consequences upon you, both physically and mentally," he said.

"What persuades me to allow you to remain in the community is the physical and mental impacts that this offence has had also upon you."