Lisa Maria Trewren pleads guilty to killing pedestrian David Hoy while driving drunk and disqualified

A drunk, disqualified driver whose passenger begged her to stop the car, has pleaded guilty to killing a pedestrian and refusing to comply with a breath test.

A drunk, disqualified driver whose passenger begged her to stop driving through the Adelaide Hills had pleaded guilty to killing a pedestrian walking along the side of the road.

Lisa Maria Trewren, 38, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday via video link from the Adelaide Women’s Prison.

She pleaded guilty to aggravated causing death by dangerous driving and failing to comply perform a breath test.

Trewren hit and killed David Hoy just after 11.15pm on December 20, 2021 at Totness.

She had a blood alcohol limit of .162, more than three time the legal limit, and had been disqualified from driving since October 25, 2021.

Mr Hoy was walking along the gravel side of the road pulling a two-wheel sack truck he had used to collect cans.

He was hit by the corner of the car as it left the road and sustained critical injuries.

Mr Hoy was a much loved Adelaide Hills identity who died in hospital with his family at his side.

His name was initially suppressed to allow his family time to grieve, but that order was lifted in the Magistrates Court.

David Hoy was killed in a car accident at Totness on December 20. Picture: Facebook

During a bail application last month, magistrate Michelle Sutcliffe heard that a male witness in the car with Trewren had seen her downing cans of beer and observed she was “drunk to the point of vomiting”.

The court heard Ms Trewren and a third person had been drinking Carlton Dry cans and got into an argument as they drove to Mount Barker.

A police prosecutor said the man got out of the car and Ms Trewren got into the front seat.

“(The male passenger) describes pleading with the accused not to drive because of her intoxication,” the prosecutor said.

“However she insisted that she was fine and drove off with them both in the car. He gives a description of the accused as very drunk to the point of vomiting.

“She continued to drink Carlton Dry and he says he believes she drank seven to eight beers from 5pm.”

Lisa Maria Trewren has pleaded guilty to causing the death of a much-loved Adelaide Hills pedestrian who was walking along the road collecting cans at Totness in October, 2021. Artwork: Steven Grice

Ms Trewren was described as driving “very drunk” – alternating between fast and slow.

The witness said he saw the victim walking along the gravel footpath and felt the car veer left and hit him.

“He says he immediately pulled his phone out to call police and he states that she repeatedly told him not to call police and to get back in the car and they would just go,” the prosecutor said.

Trewren will appear in the District Court in May for sentencing submissions.