Mingen He fronts court for a crash that killed a paramedic

The son of a beloved mother-of-three killed in a horrific collision described the killer driver as a “coward” for fleeing to Queensland ahead of his sentencing.

Paramedic, former police officer and mother-of-three Pauline Smith was killed in a two-car crash on the Western Highway near the Grampians.

A killer driver who went on the run just days before he was due to be sentenced for causing a crash that killed an off-duty paramedic has been jailed.

Melbourne man Mingen He was extradited from Queensland last week when he was scheduled to be sentenced for causing the death of Pauline Smith along the Western Highway in Great Western on May 20, 2022.

He was sentenced to two years’ and four months’ jail when he appeared in the County Court on Wednesday and ordered to serve a non-parole period of 16 months.

“He was just a big coward. He didn’t want to cop the consequences for his actions,” Ms Smith’s son Phillip Smith said outside court after sentencing.

Ms Smith was on her way home when a Holden Vectra driven by Mingen He, heading west along the Western Hwy in Great Western, veered onto the wrong lane and collided head-on with her Hyundai i30.

Ms Smith, a former police officer from Berwick, died at the scene while He was flown to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Pauline Smith's son Phillip Smith leaving the County Court after the man who caused her mother's death in a collision is sent to jail.

He pleaded guilty in the County Court in September to one charge of dangerous driving causing death. His vehicle registration expired three days before the crash.

Phillip Smith said although He could have received a longer prison sentence, his family was relieved that the slow legal process has come to an end.

“At the end of the day, he’s going to see another day and my mum won’t.”

He described Ms Smith as the “best mum ever” who was fun-loving and liked a good joke.

Phillip Smith recalled the day he received news while at work of his mum’s death.

“I got told about midday and I just broke down...it was the absolute last thing you want to hear any day and I’ve never seen my dad so miserable.

“It killed me to see him like that. He’s barely coping still.”

Phillip Smith said he represented his family at sentencing as his two siblings and their father didn’t have the emotional capacity to see He.

Judge Kellie Blair said Ms Smith’s death has left a deep and profound grief on her family who still found it hard to accept that she was gone.

The collision has also impacted on witnesses to the crash, including a motorist who came to assist Ms Smith before the paramedics arrived.

Mingen He has gone to jail for causing the death of off-duty paramedic Pauline Smith on the Western Highway.

“This was not a case of momentary inattention but a serious example of dangerous driving. Your actions devastated a community and it’s something you have to live with,” she said.

Judge Blair said despite He’s early guilty plea and mental health deterioration, strong work ethic, the delay in getting to sentencing and the risk of deportation after serving his prison term, a custodial sentence was warranted given the seriousness of his crime.

She said He’s decision not to turn up for sentencing last week exacerbated Ms Smith’s family’s stress and necessitated their return to court after He’s extradition.

Defence lawyer Amit Malik said He went to Queensland to obtain work for four to five months that would have earned him between $40,000 and $50,000.

He said He has worked in Queensland in the past and that his motivation was to provide for his family before going to prison.

Prosecutor Jordan Johnston said He’s reason for going to Queensland was difficult to accept, given the fact he didn’t inform his partner of his whereabouts which prompted her to seek police help early last week.

He said He’s actions were an attempt to frustrate rather than facilitate the course of justice.