Luigi Gligora pleads guilty to causing serious harm to senior Advertiser journalist Ben Hyde in horrific 170km/h city car crash

The speeding, drugged driver who smashed into and nearly killed a senior Adelaide journalist has pleaded guilty – and no longer blames mental illness for his crime.

Outside court, Luigi Gligora, left, told the media “f*** off, guys, please” after pleading guilty. Picture: Sean Fewster

A driver travelling at 170km/h with drugs in his system has abandoned his mental illness claims and accepted responsibility for a fiery, near-fatal car crash on West Terrace.

In the District Court on Friday, and after more than two years of court hearings, Luigi Gligora pleaded guilty to an aggravated count of causing serious harm by dangerous driving.

Gligora’s victim, The Advertiser deputy editor Ben Hyde, and his wife Tania listened from the public gallery as lawyer Craig Caldicott said his client’s scheduled trial could be cancelled.

“My client can be arraigned and plead guilty to the charges, and then we’re seeking a period of time to enable us to get all the necessary reports and references,” he said.

“Those reports will focus on mitigation in relation to penalty, not whether my client could form the intent to commit the offence.”

The wreckage of the car being driven by Advertiser deputy editor Ben Hyde after Luigi Gligora slammed into him at high speed on West Tce. Picture: 7NEWS

The wreckage of Luigi Gligora's car after the horrific crash. Picture: 7NEWS

On October 4, 2021, Gligora, 47, of Northfield, was pulled over by SA Police on Currie St in the CBD.

When officers approached his ute, Gligora accelerated away and, as police pursued, reached speeds in excess of 170km/h.

As Gligora travelled south on West Terrace, he crashed into the rear of a Mitsubishi Lancer being driven by Mr Hyde, who was heading home from work.

Mr Hyde suffered serious injuries and was hospitalised – meanwhile, Gligora was found to have cannabis present in his system.

Gligora, who was subsequently charged and released on bail, initially pleaded not guilty and flagged his intention to pursue a Section 269 report – the part of state law dealing with mental health defences.

He was due to stand trial in January next year.

On Friday, Mr Caldicott asked the matter be set down for sentencing submissions in February.

Advertiser journalist and editor Ben Hyde and his wife Tania outside the District Court. Picture: Sean Fewster

Prosecutor Tracy Nelson agreed, saying Mr Hyde and several other people would give victim impact statements, meaning a long-than-normal two-hour hearing would be required.

Judge Nick Alexandrides vacated Gligora’s trial and remanded him on continuing bail until next year.

Outside court, Gligora became agitated with media cameras and reporters, saying “f*** off, guys, please”.