Moruya Sharks appoint Michelle Zutt as treasurer despite Jakob Peck fatal crash guilty findings
A South Coast rugby league club has refused to comment on why it appointed a woman found guilty of killing a young man while driving distracted as treasurer just six days after the finding.
A South Coast rugby league club has refused to comment on why it appointed a woman found guilty of killing a young man while driving distracted as treasurer just six days after the finding.
The Moruya Sharks Rugby League Football Club selected Michelle Zutt, 47, as its 2026 treasurer on October 26, after a Bega District Court jury found her guilty of dangerous driving occasioning death over the crash that killed 23-year-old Jakob Peck.
Zutt has been previously listed as a manager at the club.
The trial before Judge Miiko Kumar lasted one week, with the jury of 12 taking two hours to find Zutt guilty.
Zutt’s judgment and sentencing will be handed down by Judge Kumar on Friday.
It was heard on July 4, 2023, Zutt was driving to Batemans Bay to buy storage containers when she slammed into the back of Mr Peck’s stationary Toyota RAV4 at 100km/h on the Princes Hwy at the Old Mossy Point Rd intersection.
The impact hurled him into oncoming traffic, killing him “virtually immediately”.
In a post to social media, the Sharks made the announcement of Zutt and other board members, stating “we’re excited to welcome back our returning members and give a big warm welcome to our new ones”.
This publication contacted the club to ask if officials knew of the charges, trial and guilty verdict when choosing Zutt.
They responded “no comment”.
The club was also asked whether she would remain treasurer after judgment and again replied “no comment”.
Zutt’s husband, Justin, is listed as president of the club and was a witness at the trial.
Zutt’s solicitor, Paul McGirr, told this publication his client would continue serving the community “as she always has”.
“[Zutt] stands by her excellent character and will not be making any further comments in respect to the matter,” he said.
Her judgment follows emotional victim impact statements at a November 20 sentence hearing in Parramatta District Court.
Mr Peck’s longtime girlfriend, Sarah Chow, addressed Zutt directly, telling her she killed her “high school sweetheart”.
“I scream cried for months. I would hold his urn and scream and cry,” she said.
“Because of your actions Michelle, our dreams will never be fulfilled.”
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