Liz Albornoz: Keith Lockrey sentenced for Epping crash death

The widower of a young mum who was killed when a pensioner’s car crashed into her has spoken of his heartbreak and called for tougher laws for elderly motorists.

The widower of a young mum who was killed after a 90-year-old accidentally drove into her has said there needs to be tougher laws for elderly drivers.

Keith Lockrey fronted Burwood Local Court on Friday accompanied by his two children for his sentence after pleading guilty to three negligent driving charges including driving causing death which carries a maximum 18 months in jail.

Liz Albornoz with her husband Victor. Picture: Supplied

Ms Albornoz had been sitting at an outdoor table in North Epping’s Cafe Siziac with a group of mums after dropping her kids off at school on February 28.

Just after 10am, Mr Lockrey had been driving a silver Holden Commodore on Malton Road.

He approached the intersection at Roma Street before turning right into a disabled parking space outside North Epping Shopping Village.

Keith Lockrey with his daughter at Burwood Local Court for his sentence hearing. Picture: Nicole Pierre

Yet when his car was almost fully within the space, he then pressed the accelerator causing the car to accelerate forward suddenly, according to police facts.

The car mounted the gutter and footpath before going over the edge of a retaining wall and towards the cafe.

Ms Albornoz, 39, was pinned against the brick wall of the cafe with a table “pressed against her stomach,” the agreed facts state.

North Epping crash aftermath. Picture: Toby Zerna

The mother-of-two suffered “catastrophic injuries” and went into cardiac arrest before she died later in hospital.

Eight others were also injured including Joanne Halmarick, 48, who suffered serious leg injuries after she was lifted on the car’s bonnet and pinned between the bonnet and cafe table.

The owners of the restaurant where Lockrey’s car smashed into inspect the damage. Picture: Toby Zerna

In court today, magistrate Susan Horan said she accepted that negligent driving arose from “momentary inattention” as opposed to a “total abandonment of his responsibilities as a driver.”

She told the court it was a “complicated sentence” having to balance a 90-year-old offender who showed genuine remorse with no driving record with the “loss of life” that resulted from the crash.

Liz Albornoz with her two children and husband during happier times. Picture: Supplied

“The grief suffered by her family is no doubt immense,” she said.

Yet the magistrate said she had to send a strong message of deterrence especially for elderly drivers.

Lockrey, who heard his sentence via a hearing aid, was given to a 13-month intensive corrections order.

His licence was surrendered and he was disqualified from driving for five years.

Following the sentencing Ms Albornoz’s husband Victor Simone told of the “terrible impact” it had had on his family.

“Sadly the sentence will not bring my daughters’ mum back and I will not be able to enjoy Christmas with my wife and best friend ever again,” Mr Simone told The Northern District Times.

“I am still trying to figure out what will be a new normal in which our personal life and career will never be what it was.

“I find little rejoice in its outcome, it can’t bring my life back and reading it, it will do nothing to avoid the same happening to someone else in the future.”

Liz Albornoz. Picture: Supplied

Flowers left as a memorial at the site. Picture: Jeremy Piper

While Mr Simone said he understood that Mr Lockrey felt remorse he said he was “disappointed” in the system.

“I do feel disappointed in a system that would give the opportunity to drive again to a person who has killed somebody and will be over 94 years old by the time the five year suspension finishes,” Mr Simone said.

He called for tougher state laws that would limit the maximum age someone could drive.

“It is inconceivable that the government would allow in five years time Mr Lockrey could go one day to the doctor, usually a day that he would feel the best, even if it is one out of ten, and based on a 15 minute test be able to drive again.

“I believe stronger laws are required to limit the maximum age somebody can drive, this way protecting the doctors, families and all Australians and minimise the likelihood of another accident like this impacting anybody else.”

He said any revised laws would have to be well thought through.

“People still have to mobilise,” he added. “But this is why we have public transport or options to create an exemption system with the right checks and balances in place.”

Liz Albornoz, with her husband Victor Simone. Liz was killed when a car ploughed into a cafe in North Epping, Sydney. Supplied by Victor

Flowers left as a memorial at the site where Liz Albornoz died. Photo Jeremy Piper

Hornsby Council has since installed sandstone blocks to prevent a repeat crash at North Epping Shopping Village.

“The blocks that were generously provided by a local resident are still in place,” A Hornsby Council spokesman said.

“Council is currently investigating a long-term solution.”

Crime scene at North Epping shopping village. Picture: Toby Zerna