Nhill: Joanne Hayes avoids jail over crash with Hillcrest’s Robert Radke
A woman had her licence for five months when she caused a horror crash in Murphy’s Creek that left a man in rehab for the rest of his life.
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A woman from country Victoria who caused a horror crash that left a man unable to live independently has avoided jail.
Nhill’s Joanne Hayes, 69, was placed on a 30-month community corrections order after pleading guilty to one charge of dangerous driving causing serious injury in Melbourne County Court on Monday.
Court documents reveal Hayes collided with Hillcrest’s Robert Radke at the intersection of Dunolly-Rheola Rd and the Wimmera Hwy in August 2019 after failing to give way while turning.
She had only received her licence in March of the same year.
The impact saw both cars leave the road before witnesses arrived on the scene and found Mr Radke unconscious and badly injured while Hayes was conscious and breathing.
Hayes told one of the witnesses she was at fault and wouldn’t be driving again.
Both drivers were flown to the Alfred hospital for treatment.
Mr Radke’s injuries were assessed as life-threatening and included multiple fractures to his skull, face, ribs and leg.
The court heard Mr Radke had several surgeries to treat his injuries and continues to live in residential rehab facilities to continue his treatment.
He still suffers from significant cognitive and physical deficits, needing to wear a helmet to protect himself because of his skull defect, meaning he may never be able to live independently again.
Meanwhile, Hayes suffered a broken ankle in the accident.
In her interview with police, Hayes told authorities she had been tired while driving and didn’t expect there to be another car.
Judge Paul Lacava said Hayes may have had her “mind on other things” at the time of the accident.
“It is a tragedy you caused so much devastation to the victim and his family,” he said.
Judge Lacava also ordered Hayes complete 200 hours of unpaid community work as part of the sentence.
She was banned from driving for life.
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