Family of Jillian Gee pay tribute to the beloved grandmother as killer driver Anthony Herr faces court

Jillian Gee was on her way to buy hot chips with her granddaughter when a drunk driver smashed into them at 110km/h. Now her family have faced her killer.

Jillian Gee was driving to buy hot chips with her beloved granddaughter sitting in the back seat when a drunk driver crashed into the side of her car at more than 70km/h over the speed limit.

Anthony Herr, 33, was charged with causing Ms Gee’s death by dangerous driving and injuring her 5-year-old granddaughter in the crash at 5.30pm on October 17 on Semaphore Rd.

In the District Court on Monday, Ms Gee’s sons told the court of the immense loss to their family.

“My mum played a huge role in our family,” Peter Gee said.

“She was such a safe driver, she had never lost a demerit point in her life.

“She would always tell us that she knew we were safe drivers, but it was the idiots on the road she was worried about.”

Jillian Gee, who was killed when her car was hit by a drunk driver at Semaphore. Picture: Supplied by the Gee family

Peter Gee said his daughter, who was seriously injured in the crash, had made a near full recovery, but had stopped drawing pictures of their family.

“She used to draw pictures with five of us including granny, she was that close a part of our family,” he said.

“She doesn’t draw pictures of our family anymore.”

Steve Gee said his mother was a hard worker who was dedicated to her family.

“It was like she had waited her whole life to become a grandmother,” he said.

Peter Cannell, prosecuting, said Herr had a terrible driving history including a 140km/h high speed chase with police in 2006 when he had stolen a car and tried to make a getaway.

Anthony Herr. Picture: Facebook

Anthony Herr. Picture: Facebook

Even after the crash, Mr Cannell said Herr had twice declined to take a breath test.

He said Herr’s blood alcohol was between .07 and .15 at the time of the crash.

Herr did not have a licence at the time of the crash.

“He was a menace on the road and a tragedy waiting to happen,” he said.

He is also facing sentencing submissions for a serious criminal trespass and assault relating to a home invasion where he had bashed a man with a baseball bat.

Judge Emily Telfer heard that the motivation for the attack had been retribution for an alleged rape perpetrated by the victim against a close associate of Herr.

Anthony Herr outside the Adelaide magistrates court. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Police and emergency services at the scene of the crash. Picture: Dean Martin

Stacey Carter, for Herr, said the victim of the assault was arrested only days later and has stayed in custody for 18 months awaiting trial.

Ms Carter said Herr had been devastated by the crash and had was so distraught he had rested his head on the shoulder of a police officer.

She said Herr had not refused to take the breath test but had been too distressed to comply.

Herr, a father of three, read an apology tot the court in which he said he felt like a “monster”.

“My words will not take back the tragedy, pain and loss you have been through,” he said.

“I made a bad choice which turned into the biggest mistake of my life.”

Herr was remanded in custody until sentencing next month.