Arabic version: سائق يقر بالذنب في حادث كاريمبا المميت

According to ABC News, Nathalia mother of four Vilia Sutherland, 45, has been remembered by her family as a selfless and beautiful woman after she was killed in a head-on crash at Kaarimba in Victoria’s north.

Lance O’Brien, 31, pleaded guilty in the Shepparton County Court on Wednesday to culpable driving causing death and contravening bail conditions. The crash occurred on October 2, 2025, when Ms Sutherland was travelling north on Barmah-Shepparton Road after buying groceries. Her Renault Captur SUV collided with a Toyota Corolla driven by O’Brien after it veered into her lane.

Ms Sutherland died at the scene. One of the family’s three dogs, a border collie, was later euthanased after sustaining critical injuries. O’Brien was hospitalised with serious injuries. Blood analysis found he had a blood alcohol content of at least 0.143, as well as methamphetamine, amphetamine and nordiazepam in his system, the court heard.

Prosecutor Angela Liantzakis said collision reconstruction analysis found O’Brien was travelling at a minimum speed range of 115km/h to 122km/h at the time of the crash. He was on a P2 licence subject to a zero BAC condition and was on bail with conditions not to drive, consume alcohol or use a drug of dependence without lawful authorisation.

Ms Sutherland’s sister Annie Koopmans told the court her family was broken by the loss. Her daughters Tammy Woods and Emily described the continuing impact on their lives and milestones. O’Brien told the Koori Court sentencing conversation he was “deeply sorry” and would carry what happened for the rest of his life. Judge Carolene Gwynn adjourned the matter for a further plea in the Melbourne County Court later this month.