Mingen He fronts court over two-car crash on Western Highway

An off-duty paramedic was killed less than an hour after finishing work by an erratic driver behind the wheel of an unlicensed vehicle on the Western Hwy.

Driver Mingen He has admitted causing a crash that claimed the life of paramedic and former police officer Pauline Smith on the Western Hwy on Friday, May 20, 2022. Picture: Facebook

A young driver has admitted causing a crash that claimed the life of a beloved mother-of-three and respected member of the Grampians’ community, less than an hour after she finished her shift as a paramedic.

Pauline 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 on May 20, 2022.

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.

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

The court heard Ms Smith had finished her night shift at the Stawell branch of Ambulance Victoria after 7.10am on May 20, 2022 and was on her way home.

Mingen He has admitted to a charge of dangerous driving causing the death of off-duty paramedic Pauline Smith on the Western Highway.

He left Melbourne at 5am and was travelling towards Horsham for work when witnesses observed him driving erratically.

A motorist smashed the rear passenger window to enter Ms Smith’s vehicle after the crash and remained with her until emergency services arrived.

No alcohol and drugs were detected in He and he blamed Ms Smith’s car for coming on to his lane.

He told police his hands tightly gripped the steering wheel and he tried to brake but it was too late.

But police investigations revealed He’s vehicle transitioned from a yaw into a general spin on the bitumen surface before sliding across the road into the path of Ms Smith, at 99km/h.

Hundreds of police and ambulance officers made a guard of honour upon leaving the chapel at Bunurong Memorial Park during Ms Smith’s funeral.

An ambulance, police car, drummers and pipers led her hearse away as the helicopters made a pass above.

He will return to court for further plea on November 1.