Zenaida Dimarucut avoids jail for dangerous driving after Campbelltown pedestrian death

The heartbroken family of an 81-year-old woman who was mowed down by a BMW just metres from her home have bravely confronted the driver.

A 62-year-old woman has avoided jail after being found guilty of killing an elderly grandmother while driving in Sydney’s southwest.

Zenaida Dimarucut was driving her BMW along Camden Valley Way at Narellan shortly after 1.20pm on May 9, 2019, when 81-year-old Jean Lewis was crossing the four-lane road.

Without seeing Ms Lewis, Dimarucut hit the beloved grandmother causing such bad injuries she was rushed to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition, where she later died.

Zenaida Dimarucut was found guilty in a trial by judge of killing 81-year-old Jean Lewis. Picture: Facebook.

The 62-year-old initially pleaded not guilty to the offence and stood trial by judge alone in November, where Judge Philip Ingram found her guilty of dangerous driving occasioning death.

Members of Ms Lewis’s devastated family bravely fronted Campbelltown District Court on Friday, wanting justice for the elderly woman’s death.

The court heard the 81-year-old had just finished shopping, had caught the bus home and was just metres away from her house when she was struck by the car.

Dimarucut had passed through a roundabout and was distracted before colliding with the elderly pedestrian at about 50km/h.

“The offender at the very least would have and should have seen Ms Lewis from 60.5 metres of unobstructed view away,” Judge Ingram told the court.

Jean Lewis was killed on Camden Valley Way in 2019.

“There is no rational reason why the offender did not see Ms Lewis other than the offender was driving in a manner which was inattentive to the degree she was unaware of the pedestrian crossing the road.”

Three members of Ms Lewis’s family gave emotional victim impact statements to the court.

Her son, Derek Lewis, said the 81-year-old left behind three children, nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, none of which got to say goodbye.

“I have a clear memory of racing to the hospital just to see my mother’s broken body laying lifeless in a bed,” he said through tears.

“The family is yet to hear the word ‘sorry’ and she (Dimarucut) has provided nothing to help our family.”

Ms Lewis’ daughter, Cheryl Cranshaw, sobbed as she sat before the court to give her impact statement.

Ms Cranshaw described her mother as her “hero” who was a “friend to many”.

“We have suffered through 21 months … the pain is real and so is the heartache,” she said.

“I am sorry but I just want justice for my mother, my family and me.”

Flowers left at the scene after Ms Lewis died.

Tributes at the scene of Ms Lewis’ death.

Ms Cranshaw’s daughter, Larissa, also said some moving words for her grandmother.

“That day was the worst day of my life,” she said.

“She was taken from us so quickly and I don’t think that is far at all, you have no idea what it has been like to endure the pain and suffering my family have suffered.”

The court heard Dimarucut had been suffering from depression, anxiety and PTSD from the incident.

Judge Ingram told the court she was “deeply remorseful and extremely conscious of the terrible toll her conduct had”.

He said she showed genuine remorse and had strong prospects of rehabilitation within the community.

The 62-year-old was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment to be served by way of intensive corrections order to begin on Friday.

Dimarucut must report to community corrections and complete counselling as well as 500 hours of community service.

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