By Mitchell Clarke
A speeding Ferrari driver who crashed his car and killed a young mother during a luxury car convoy through Cockatoo has been jailed.
Mark Dimech, 48, was sentenced in the County Court on Thursday 17 September after pleading guilty to one charge of dangerous driving causing death.
On 9 July 2017, Mr Dimech was speeding along Avon Road in his 2005 Ferrari Spider Roadster when he lost control and crashed into an oncoming Ford XR-8.
The court heard Mr Dimech was travelling at about 82 km/h on the 70 km/h stretch of road when he approached a bend which had an advisory speed of 45 km/h.
He lost control of the high powered car, swerving partly on to the wrong side of the road when he collided with the Ford, which left both passengers of the XR-8 with serious injuries.
The force of the crash tragically killed Mr Dimech’s girlfriend and front seat passenger, Rebecca Carkagis, who died at the scene.
Witnesses reported hearing Mr Dimech crying inconsolably after the crash, stating that it was him that should’ve died.
None of the convoy stopped to assist, and the court heard the vehicle travelling behind the Ferrari pulled over to remove cameras from the front of the car to put them in the boot before driving off again.
In sentencing, Judge Amanda Fox said Mr Dimech’s driving was a “serious offence” which claimed the life of an “innocent bright young woman”.
She said that no sentence would be a measure of Rebecca’s life and stated that nothing could bring her back or relieve her family of their pain.
The court heard Mr Dimech received nine speeding tickets and has had his license suspended seven times and cancelled once.
Judge Fox said driving in a convoy on country roads wasn’t an opportunity to “test the limits” of their vehicles or driving skills.
“As the driver, you owed a duty to all other road users, and particularly your passenger … you had a specific duty of care … and you failed that duty,” she said.
Mr Dimech, who received a Victoria Police bravery award in 2002, has suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder following the accident, the court heard.
“You have been devastated by Rebecca’s death,” Judge Fox said.
Judge Fox accepted Mr Dimech was “genuinely remorseful” and had acknowledged that her death was his responsibility.
She said he showed good prospects for rehabilitation, adding that any sentence would likely deter him from re-offending.
Mr Dimech was sentenced to three years and eight months imprisonment. He will be eligible for parole in two years and two months.
All his licences and permits were cancelled and disqualified for three years.
