Family of Bernice Sternberg confront killer driver John Tsalapatis in court

The family of a beloved teacher killed in a horror crash have revealed their heartbreak in court, saying their family will never be the same again.

Bernice Sternberg was a beloved teacher and cherished member of her family that will leave their lives never the same again after she was killed in a horror crash.

Killer driver John Tsalapatis was confronted by several members of Mrs Sternberg’s heartbroken family in the District Court on Tuesday after he failed to give way at an intersection.

Prosecutor Jim Pearce KC read a victim impact statement from Mrs Sternberg’s husband, Ron who said he had lost joy in the things they used to do together.

Mr Sternberg said he used to reach over to his “sweetheart’s” side of the bed in the morning to give her a cuddle and a good morning kiss.

John Tsalapatis outside the Adelaide Magistrates Court after an earlier appearance. Picture: David Mariuz

Ron Sternberg, husband of Bernice Sternberg, is seen leaving Adelaide District Court. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

“Now I reach over to her side and say I love you and miss you, I wish you were here,” he said.

Mr Sternberg said now whenever he approaches the intersection of the crash he holds his breath and feels a shiver.

“If only he (Tsalapatis) stopped at the intersection,” he said.

“I’ll never forgive him for what he has done to me and my whole family, causing the death of my darling Bernice.

“We will miss you so much sweetheart, life without you is not going to be the same anymore.”

Mrs Sternberg’s sisters described her as caring and loving, while her mother said her days were far lonelier without her daughter as she used to visit her most days after work.

Principal of McLaren Vale primary school, Leanne Lovett said Mrs Sternberg was one of the most loved and respected teachers at the school.

McLaren Vale teacher Bernice Sternberg. Picture: McLaren Vale Primary School

Ms Sternberg’s shrine at McLaren Vale Primary school. Picture: Facebook

Ms Lovett said it was “gut-wrenching” relaying the information to staff that Mrs Sternberg, a Year one teacher, had been in a terrible accident.

“It was like all the air had been sucked out of the school and we were all holding our breath hoping and praying she would be okay,” she said.

The court heard the school now has a memorial garden dedicated to Mrs Sternberg.

Mrs Sternberg’s brother, David Field, told the court he felt guilty as his sister was on the way home from visiting him in the hospital after he had suffered life threatening injuries from a separate motor vehicle accident.

“But I’ve come to realise that guilt I feel is not mine to carry but rather it’s John Tsalapatis’ guilt to carry instead,” he said.

Mrs Sternberg’s son, Dion Sternberg told the court the family will never be whole again, while her other son Luke said not a day goes by without her in his thoughts.

Mr Sternberg was driving his wife of 36 years home at 5.30pm on March 28, 2021 when they approached the intersection of Main and McMurtrie roads in McLaren Vale.

Footage, released by the District Court, shows the moment the three cars collided at the intersection, throwing the Sternbergs’ car into nearby rose bushes.

Tsalapatis was behind the wheel of a black Subaru heading west at the intersection and failed to give way, while travelling at about 80km/h.

The court heard Tsalapatis “T-boned” the Sternbergs’ Nissan Pulsar, with the point of impact to the front passenger side where Mrs Sternberg was seated.

Bernice Sternberg's family outside court after delivering victim impact statements. Photo: Lucy Rutherford

The force of the impact pushed the Sternbergs’ car into the other lane, colliding head-on with a car Ben Moulton was driving, who had his teenage daughters as passengers.

The court heard Mrs Sternberg had to be cut from the wreckage and underwent emergency surgery at the Flinders Medical Centre but died from her injuries five days later.

Tsalapatis was found guilty by a jury of causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing harm by dangerous driving after standing trial.

On Tuesday, Jane Abbey KC, for Tsalapatis, told the court her client felt deep regret and remorse for the offending but still maintained his driving wasn’t criminally dangerous and the intersection was unsafe.

Ms Abbey pushed for a suspended or home detention sentence, saying Tsalapatis was a prominent engineer and contributing member of society.

Tsalapatis will be sentenced next month.

Originally published as Family of Bernice Sternberg confront killer driver John Tsalapatis in court