A speeding driver who caused a horror head-on crash which left his girlfriend dead claims water on the road was a factor which contributed to the calamity.
Alec Vidot-Coleman appeared in the District Court at Sydney’s Downing Centre on Friday after earlier pleading guilty to dangerous driving occasioning death on the eve of a now aborted trial.
The 23-year-old was behind the wheel of a Nissan Silvia when it ploughed into a Toyota Camry on Victoria Rd at West Ryde in December 2019.
Vidot-Coleman’s girlfriend, and 20-year-old passenger Scarlett Lenehan, sustained horrific injuries in the crash and later died in Royal North Shore Hospital.
Two people who were in the Camry were also injured in the crash.
At Vidot-Coleman’s brief sentencing hearing, his lawyer Brett Galloway told the court there was a dispute about the speed at which the Nissan was travelling when the crash occurred.
Mr Galloway said his understanding was Vidot Coleman was doing 75km/h, however, the court was told the Crown believes the speed was around 100km/h in what was believed to be a 60 zone.
Vidot-Coleman’s crime was at the “lower end of scale”, Mr Galloway said.
After advising that water on the road may be cited as a factor which contributed to the “impact”, Judge Sarah Huggett said it was unclear what the basis of the dangerous driving was.
“If there’s water on the road that genuinely contributes to an impact that can have consequences … just because a person exceeds speed limit does not mean that they were driving dangerously,” she said.
“This offence happened two-and-a-half years ago; this matter needs to be resolved. The time has come.
“I know there are family members of Ms Lenehan who are waiting for this matter to be resolved … these kinds of matters are difficult for the families involved.”
The case is due to return to court on June 28, with Vidot-Coleman expected to give evidence, along with investigators who examined the circumstances surrounding the crash.
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