A Melbourne man whose car hit and killed a 57-year-old Maryborough woman while he was driving under the influence of drugs faced Bendigo Magistrates Court yesterday.
Jonathan Palcak, 27, of Brunswick, pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving causing death and driving a motor vehicle while affected by cannabis. On New Year’s Eve 2010, Palcak was driving along the Pyrenees Highway at Moolort when his Jeep hit the woman’s Ford Laser head-on.
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The woman, the sole occupant of the car, died at the scene. Palcak was flown from Maryborough airport to The Alfred hospital in a serious condition. He was originally also charged with culpable driving causing death, dangerous driving, using a drug of dependence and failing to keep to the left of the dividing line, but these charges were struck out preceding his guilty plea.
The 27-year-old was subdued during the proceedings, his eyes watery and a large scar visible across his shaved scalp.
He was supported in court by several friends and family.
The case was listed for the Bendigo County Court circuit starting May 28. Bail was extended with a residential condition.
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