Family of victim Debbie Markey to appeal killer driver’s sentence
The family of a Cobram mother killed in Victoria’s deadliest collision in more than a decade will appeal the killer driver’s sentence, labelling it a “slap on the wrist”.
Goulburn Valley
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The devastated family of a woman killed in one of the deadliest car accidents in the state’s history has formally written to the Director of Public Prosecutions to appeal the killer driver’s “insulting” sentence.
Christopher Joannidis was sentenced to three years prison for causing a collision that killed five people in April 2023.
Debbie Markey was looking after four foreign workers and driving them to work when Joannidis crashed into her ute, sending it into the path of a milk tanker at Strathmerton.
Debbie Markey, 62, and overseas workers Pin-Yu Wang, Hsin-Yu Chen, Wai-Yan Lam and Zih-Yao Chen, who were from Hong Kong and Taiwan, were killed in the collision.
Ms Markey’s dog, Sofie, also died.
The collision was Victoria’s deadliest in more than a decade.
The court heard Joannidis was driving to a wedding where he was to be the best man when the crash occurred at the Murray Valley Hwy-Labuan Rd intersection.
Joannidis received a speeding ticket and was warned by local police of the road toll in the area just moments before the fatal collision.
“It has had a catastrophic impact on its victims,” Judge Gavan Meredith said.
In the letter submitted to the DPP, Debbie’s son Daniel Montero said the sentence was not enough.
Mr Montero told 10 News: “We are writing to appeal the low and insulting sentence given to Christopher Joannidis,”
“We strongly believe that the sentence does not reflect the gravity of his actions.
“Specifically we wish to draw attention to the undue weight given to his mental health condition, OCD.”
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Mr Joannidis’ actions on April 20, 2023, were not related to his OCD. He did not experience a mental or physical episode.”
Mr Montero gave a heartfelt victim impact statement in court during Joannidis’ plea, saying “I felt pain I never thought was possible”.
Retired homicide detective Charlie Bezzina has joined calls for the DPP to appeal the sentence describing it as “absolutely disgusting”.
Mr Montero described the last two years as an “unbearable rollercoaster” for the victims’ families.
“It is clear that the general public, as well as the victims, are disgusted by the outcome of this case,” Mr Montero said.
Videos shared to social media by Mr Montero have been viewed more than 60,000 times online and attracted dozens of comments.
“There is a common perception that our justice system is soft, giving offenders a mere slap on the ‘wrist’,” he said.
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