Killer driver Roy Skinner ‘can’t remember’ crash that victims won’t forget

This man says he doesn’t recall reversing into two women with tragic results, but the survivor says he’s just not sorry for his mistakes.

An elderly driver who killed one woman, and injured a second, by reversing into them in a hotel car park has told a court he has no memory of the incident.

On Monday, Roy Alexander Skinner also told the District Court he does not remember crossing a main road and crashing into a pole after killing Elizabeth Loan and seriously injuring her niece, Tracey Stevens.

Skinner was not drunk, has no cognitive issues and had been cleared to drive, by his GP, just 12 days before he reversed into the pair at 28km/h.

On Monday, his counsel read two letters of apology to the court on his behalf – but Ms Stevens said his words were hollow.

“Thank you for your letters of apology, I feel they do not in any way express any regret or ownership of the mistake you made,” she said in her victim impact statement.

“I cannot read any compassion or feeling in your written words... because of you, we all live in a state of grief.

“The way we lost Aunty Liz is a trauma we will never forget.”

Roy Alexander Skinner says he can’t remember the accident. Picture: NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

In August, Skinner, 81, of Encounter Bay, pleaded guilty to causing the death of Elizabeth Beverly Loan, and serious harm to Tracey Stevens, by dangerous driving.

The charges arose from an incident on Ocean Rd at Encounter Bay on January 22, 2023.

On Monday, the court heard the incident occurred in the car park of the Hotel Crown after Ms Stevens had celebrated her birthday with Mrs Loan and members of their family.

Counsel for Skinner said their client had driven since the age of 16 without a single accident, and had always accepted full responsibility for his actions.

“He has no memory of these events... he told a psychiatrist ‘I’m not afraid to take responsibility, I’m not afraid of the truth, I just want to know the truth’,” she said.

She read out Skinner’s letters of apology, in which he said he “could not convey the sorrow and regret I feel”.

“I was responsible... I take full responsibility for my actions... I’m truly sorry for the immense grief and heartache you are experiencing,” he wrote.

“Please know I’m committed to doing everything I can to atone for this tragedy.”

Skinner’s counsel asked the court to consider a home detention sentence – prosecutors argued his actions were too serious for such a penalty.

Judge Michael Burnett remanded Skinner on continuing bail for sentencing in February.