Kurtis Ray Ward, 26, pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a vehicle

An unlicensed driver, who callously left the scene of a crash as a respected chiropractor lay dying, later went to extreme lengths to hide his crimes, and crying in court as he was sentenced.

A court has heard the disturbing lengths a Hervey Bay father went to conceal his crime on the day he crashed into an elderly man riding a mobility scooter, then left the scene.

Kurtis Ray Ward, 26, pleaded guilty in Hervey dangerous operation of a vehicle, failing to remain at the scene with callous disregard, and driving unlicensed when he faced Hervey Bay District Court on Wednesday.

The court heard Ward had been seen speeding and driving dangerously on October 8 last year, the day he struck and killed retired Campbelltown chiropractor Gordon Brinsmead, 84.

A short dashcam video taken from another driver was played for the court, showing Ward overtaking at high speed in his vehicle prior to the collision that killed Mr Brinsmead.

Ward, who had smoked marijuana and been drinking alcohol earlier in the day, was driving at 75km an hour in a 60km zone, the court heard, along Ariadne St in River Heads at the time of the collision.

After crashing into Mr Brinsmead, Ward then left the critically injured man at the scene before police arrived.

Kurtis Ray Ward, 26, pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a vehicle, failing to remain at the scene with callous disregard, and driving unlicensed when he faced Hervey Bay District Court

The court heard in a state of panic after the incident, Ward had dumped his car after cleaning it with bleach in an effort to conceal the crime.

He also removed its number plates, as well as shaving part of his hair and beard to try to change his appearance.

However, when police caught up with Ward, he soon made admissions to police.

He was taken to Hervey Bay Hospital, where cannabis and alcohol was detected in his blood.

Ward, the father of a young son, had written a letter expressing his remorse for his “deplorable” behaviour in the aftermath of the crash.

Throughout the sentencing, Ward wiped away tears and at times held his head in his hands.

Judge Tony Moynihan said Ward was unlicensed, had never held a licence, and should not have been driving that day.

“You left the scene, showing a callous disregard for the deceased,” he said.

“The victim obviously has lost his life due to your deliberate, reckless conduct.”

Gordon Brinsmead’s friend and longtime secretary Colleen Szabo and her husband George were in court to see Kurtis Ray Ward sentenced.

Mr Moynihan acknowledged Ward’s background, saying he had suffered from family violence and had abused alcohol.

He was supported in court by his partner.

Ward was sentenced to seven years in prison and would be eligible for parole on September 14, 2025, after serving three years.

He was disqualified absolutely from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence.

Mr Brinsmead’s friend and longtime secretary Colleen Szabo and her husband George were in court to see Ward sentenced.

Through tears, she said the sentencing had brought them some closure after losing their friend, who had moved to River Heads from just a few months before his death to be close to them.

Gordon Brinsmead, 84, died when his mobility scooter was struck by a car in River Heads.

He had soon become known as something of a character around River Heads, endearing locals with his sense of humour and fun and desire to put a smile on the face of everyone he met.

For more than two decades, Colleen worked as a receptionist for Gordon, who was a renowned chiropractor in Sydney’s Campbelltown. His retirement, after 48 years, was marked in the MacArthur Chronicle.

He had studied overseas and although he was known for his chiropractic work, he was also a gifted piano player and artist.