John Tsalapatis walks free from court after killing teacher Bernice Sternberg in crash

An engineer won’t spend any time behind bars despite taking no responsibility for killing a beloved teacher in a horror crash at McLaren Vale.

A driver who killed a beloved teacher and cherished member of her family in a horror crash won’t spend any time behind bars, despite still taking no responsibility.

John Tsalapatis, 59, walked free from the District Court on Tuesday after he failed to give way at an intersection, killing Bernice Sternberg.

Mrs Sternberg’s family were not present during his sentence.

Prosecutor Jim Pearce KC read a victim impact statement in April 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.

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

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

John Tsalapatis leaves the District Court after sentencing for causing the death by dangerous driving of Bernice Sternberg. Picture: NewsWire/Brenton Edwards

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

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

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

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.

John Tsalapatis caused the crash after failing to give way at an intersection. Picture: Supplied

Bernice Sternberg's family outside court. Photo: Lucy Rutherford

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.

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.

Mr Moulton was not alleged to have engaged in any wrongdoing.

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.

He is appealing the verdict.

During sentencing submissions, 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.

However, during sentencing Judge Nick Alexandrides said there was nothing about the road conditions that explained or excused Tsalapatis’ poor attention and his remorse had not involved taking responsibility.

“You had ample warning of the intersection as you drove towards Main Rd,” he said.

Tsalapatis was sentenced to three years jail, with a non-parole period of two years and four months.

He was ordered to serve the sentence on home detention.

Tsalapatis was also disqualified from driving for 12 years.

Originally published as John Tsalapatis walks free from court after killing teacher Bernice Sternberg in crash