Effie Catherine Georgio: Army captain sentenced over crash that killed Michael Varvodic

A Brighton East army captain has been sentenced after her “prolonged inattention” while driving led to the death of a much-loved elderly pedestrian. The victim’s family have detailed their heartbreak.

A Brighton East army captain has avoided jail after her “prolonged inattention” while driving led to the death of an 82-year-old pedestrian.

Effie Catherine Georgio, 32, was driving on Hawthorn Rd in Caulfield South in August 2019 when she struck Michael Varvodic who was standing in the middle of the road.

Mr Varvodic died in hospital the following day and she was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death – pleading not guilty the following year.

Georgiou faced a judge-only trial on May 6, where she was convicted by judge Greg Lyon.

At the time, she was seven months pregnant with a son, and her lawyers requested the sentencing be adjourned to after his birth.

Georgiou was sentenced in the County Court on Wednesday by judge Lyon who said the death was caused by her “prolonged inattention” while driving for nine seconds prior to the crash.

She was not affected by drugs or alcohol, not driving erratically or speeding and co-operated fully with investigators.

“The loss has been life changing for Mr Varvodic’s wife and family,” he told the convicted woman.

“He was very dear to his family and community, who have experienced a great deal of loss.”

He said Mr Varvodic’s wife, Alexis, son, Nick and daughter-in-law, Demi, had shown “dignity” in their actions.

They provided victim impact statements to the court detailing the “unimaginable heartbreak” felt and testament to the lifelong bond they had with the well-liked man.

Judge Lyon spoke at length about the impact the crash had on Georgiou, a defence force dentist, who suffered from trauma, feelings of worthlessness and PTSD.

He heard she would be discharged from the army, her “lifelong career”, as a result of the conviction.

He found she had an impaired mental state which would make a term of imprisonment more onerous and had met the criteria for a compelling reason to not be jailed.

“Thus justifying a departure from the sentencing act requirements to impose imprisonment,” he said.

She was sentenced to a four-year community corrections order with 400 hours community service and the requirement to undergo mental health treatment.