San Remo hit-and-run: Adam Beattie’s partner Zoe Breakwell reads impact statement in court
The partner of San Remo hit and run victim Adam Beattie has described the loss of her “one love” and told the woman who struck him and drove off “you could have just checked”.
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“My life is just empty and a huge part of me is missing all due to one mistake … your mistake.”
Zoe Breakwell, the partner of hit-and-run victim Adam Beattie, has described the day she found her “one love” on the side of the road and how the beloved father-of-three’s death has shattered their family.
Ms Breakwell read a victim impact statement in Gosford District Court during sentencing submissions for Lisa Maria Curtale, who fatally struck Mr Beattie as he walked beside Scenic Drive at San Remo just after 11pm on July 28, 2018.
“I stand in front of you now and I can say you took the life of a good-hearted man,” Ms Breakwell told the court.
“You have stripped us from happiness and put us in a dark place for life.”
Ms Breakwell recalled looking into Ms Curtale’s eyes on the night of July 28 when they passed each other at the nearby Metro service station. Ms Breakwell and Mr Beattie had been at Doyalson RSL when Mr Beattie decided to do the 10 minute walk home.
“The night of the accident Adam and I got into an argument and he left the club so I followed,” Ms Breakwell said.
“I stopped to get fuel as I knew I was out and I remember so clearly staring at you in the eyes as you parked your car in front of mine just before I left. I found Adam and I argued some more trying to get him in the car but he just wanted to walk it off.”
Mr Beattie never returned home and Ms Breakwell was frantic. The next day she went for a drive to retrace their steps with her 14-year-old daughter, daughter’s boyfriend and mum when she made the devastating discovery.
“As I approached the barrier I could see Adam’s shoe behind it and among the bush. My heart sunk,” she said.
“I ran to Adam calling out, ‘bub I’m here, have you been hurt? Get up please.’ The barrier felt like it was never ending until I got to Adam’s lifeless body that you left there. The world around me came to a stop. Adam was lifeless and I was speechless. He was dead and that was all that was repeating in my head.”
She described having to tell her two younger children that “daddy isn’t coming home” and the sleepless nights, flashbacks and anxiety she suffers.
“These moments will never leave me and you left me with that. Part of me wants to forgive you for it potentially being an accident but the rest of me cannot get peace for the fact you never got help or even tried to call anonymously. And when you came forward you called my partner a kangaroo. Most people would have checked on that kangaroo, so why didn’t you? You could have just checked.”
Ms Breakwell described Mr Beattie as her “forever partner” and said they had been together for nearly 20 years.
“I’d give anything to be held again by my one love, to have him snuggle me in bed and stroke my hair. I will continue to do the life he dreamt of for my kids, but it will never be the same.”
She also read a statement from her eldest daughter, now 16, where she described her dad as an “amazing father” who did anything to put a smile on your face.
“I am scared to live life without my dad. When I get married dad won’t be there to walk me down the aisle, to dance with me or give me some cheeky speech that I imagine he would have. I also get my L’s in two weeks and I won’t have him to teach me how to drive or what car I should get.
“Because of you my whole world has been turned upside down and I miss out on a lifetime of memories with my dad.”
Mr Beattie’s mum Lorraine Beattie recalled the day her son was found.
“Nothing seemed real and I couldn't comprehend that my beautiful boy had been left on the side of the road,” she said.
“I would give anything to hold him and tell him I love him. No mother should ever have to say goodbye to their child forever. My beautiful boy Adam will always be in my shattered heart.”
Ms Curtale, who appeared by video link, shook continuously and sobbed as she heard the statements read.
Last year, Ms Curtale, 44, pleaded guilty to failing to stop and assist following a fatal collision and negligent driving occasioning death.
Court facts state she stopped for cigarettes at the Metro service station before travelling south on Scenic Drive and colliding with Mr Beattie who was walking between the guard rail and the solid white line.
She kept driving and came forward to police on July 30 after hearing reports of the death. She later told police she thought she hit “an animal” and did not stop because it was dark and she was “scared”.
Ms Curtale’s defence outlined her remorse and ongoing rehabilitation, asking Judge Tanya Bright to consider an Intensive Corrections Order, which is the equivalent of a jail sentence served in the community. The Crown has asked for a jail sentence saying Ms Curtale “ought to have known” she hit a person and failed to stop and call triple-0.
Judge Bright said there was no evidence before the court that suggests she saw Mr Beattie.
Ms Curtale will be sentenced in Gosford District Court on July 21.