Jed Bell pleads guilty to having caused the death of passenger Mark Norman Gabriel at Paracombe in 2023
A drunk driver whose actions caused the Premier to lash out at “idiots” has pleaded guilty to killing his passenger.
A driver whose drunken, fatal actions behind the wheel sparked condemnation from Premier Peter Malinauskas has pleaded guilty to his crime ahead of trial.
On Monday, Jed Maxwell Bell faced the District Court after his counsel asked his matter be called on.
Bell, 33, of Wynn Vale, had previously pleaded not guilty to causing the death of Mark Norman Gabriel.
Prosecutors had alleged Bell’s blood alcohol level was 0.145 when he caused the crash at Paracombe in February 2023.
Mr Gabriel, they alleged, was Bell’s passenger at the time of the crash.
The incident prompted Mr Malinauskas to issue a stern warning to drunk drivers.
He warned the “law will come down severely upon anyone who makes a decision to get behind the wheel intoxicated”.
“Someone innocent losing their life on the road because of actions of (an alleged) drunk driver is horrific … it’s hard not to get angry about it,” he said at the time.
“It’s just not worth it … catch a cab, order the Uber, walk home.
“No matter how much advertising, campaigning and work on the ground … one thing the state government can’t do is account for idiots.
“Nonetheless, we’ll try and we’ll keep trying.”
In court on Monday, prosecutors said Bell’s case had resolved without the need for trial, and with no alteration to the charge against him.
He pleaded guilty to having caused Mr Gabriel’s death by dangerous driving and was remanded on continuing bail to face sentencing submissions in October.
Originally published as Jed Bell pleads guilty to having caused the death of passenger Mark Norman Gabriel at Paracombe in 2023
