Plumpton’s Socorro Estrella pleads guilty to causing death of Hebersham mum Lidia Dizon

A woman responsible for the death of her devoted friend and work colleague - who she called her sister - after an unexplainable failure behind the wheel has learned her fate.

Socorro Estrella, left, leaving Mt Druitt Local Court after pleading guilty to the tragic driving death of Lidia Dizon.

A western Sydney woman responsible for the death of her devoted friend of almost two decades after a “momentary failure” behind the wheel has learned her fate.

Socorro Estrella, 61, of Plumpton, pleaded guilty at Mt Druitt Local Court on Tuesday to negligent driving occasioning the death of 69-year-old Lidia Dizon on her Hebersham driveway on November 11.

Estrella had worked with Ms Dizon at Tridon Australia in Silverwater for more than 19 years, and was picking Ms Dizon up for work shortly after 5am – as she did daily – when tragedy struck.

Agreed police facts reveal Estrella, for “reasons that cannot be explained”, placed her Toyota RAV4 into reverse while her foot was on the accelerator, moments after Ms Dizon had grabbed the passenger door handle.

“Ms Dizon was holding the door handle and was dragged with the vehicle before losing her footing and falling rearward, with the rear of her head striking the ground,” agreed police facts state.

Socorro Estrella leaving Mt Druitt Local Court. Picture: Nathan Schmidt

“Estrella continued rearward with the vehicle mounting the kerb of the house on the opposite side of the street before she regained control, causing it to stop 180 degrees from it original position.”

Estrella rushed to help Ms Dizon, who was bleeding from her head in the driveway, before calling on neighbours and Estrella’s family for assistance, including an off-duty paramedic.

Emergency services attended shortly after but Ms Dizon died at the scene.

Estrella’s barrister Daniel Petrushnko told the court his client had lost a close personal friend in the “unintentional accident”, and no longer found herself wanting – or able – to get behind the wheel again.

“Estrella called Ms Dizon her sister,” Mr Petrushnko said. “This accident is something she will live with the rest of her life. She now suffers PTSD getting in the car.”

Estrella was supported in court by her own family, as well as Ms Dizon’s husband and son.

In a letter to the court, they mourned the loss of their “loving mother”.

“We will no longer be able to see our mother’s contagious smile and loving hugs,” the letter stated. “But, we know that she lives on in our hearts.”

Hebersham woman Lilia Dizon tragically died after being struck by a car outside of her home while being picked up for work. Picture: Facebook

Magistrate George Breton told the court Ms Dizon’s death was a loss for the whole community. But, while sympathetic to Estrella’s remorse, he said the “facts must appear in the cold light of day”.

“This is a serious instance of negligent driving,” he said. “Estrella failed, and she failed in the worst possible way. Such a failure cannot be tolerated.”

The court heard Estrella had been helped police in the investigation, and had admitted to being tired.

Further, she had no criminal history and had “pained” to obey rules throughout her life.

She had accrued only “limited” driving infringements, including an instance speeding in January 2022.

Estrella was convicted and sentenced to a 12-month community correction order.