Cockatoo Ferrari crash: Mark Dimech admits dangerous driving causing death of Rebecca Carkagis
A former big shot salesman who held roles at Fairfax and SEN is now unemployed bum after he crashed his $135,000 Ferrari and killed a young Point Cook mother while on a convoy with other revheads – none of whom stopped to help.
Wyndham Leader
Don't miss out on the headlines from Wyndham Leader. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A former bigshot salesman crashed his $135,000 Ferrari while speeding with a convoy of luxury car hoons and killed a young Point Cook mum.
Mark Dimech, 48, pleaded guilty in the County Court on Wednesday to dangerous driving causing death.
Dimech was speeding in his 2005 Ferrari Spider Roadster along Avon Rd, Cockatoo, on July 9 2017 when he lost control and smashed into an oncoming Ford XR-8.
The impact killed his passenger Rebecca Carkagis.
Mr Carkagis was treated by two nurses but the 33-year-old single mother died at the scene.
Dimech — who had meth in his system — got out of the Ferrari “yelling and screaming” then kicked the car.
Witnesses said Dimech was doing “90-100km/h” along the 70km/h stretch of road.
He lost control while going around a bend where the speed limit was 45km/h.
A major collision detective said Dimech was travelling at 82km/h while taking the bend.
The occupants of the XR-8 were taken to hospital with injuries.
The court heard Dimech did not undertake special training on how to drive his Ferrari but he “knew the car”.
Dimech, who met his victim via an online dating site a few months before the crash, was driving in a convoy of three other luxury cars, the court heard.
The convoy was part of an Otium Club car run — a Dandenong South-based “unique and exclusive multibrand exotic car and lifestyle club”.
Witnesses said none of the other convoy drivers stopped to give assistance.
The driver at the rear of the convoy did stop but only to remove cameras that had been mounted on the rear and front of his car.
Police were unable to identify any of these drivers, the court heard.
Dimech declined to be interviewed by police because he had “no memory of the collision”.
The hoon’s matter was originally headed to trial but was resolved with a plea of guilty in February this year.
Ms Carkagis’ family members, including her three brothers, sister-in-law and stepfather, tendered victim statements to the court.
Her brother Samuel — who shared a home with his sister — tearfully read his statement to the court.
Mr Carkagis told the court his statement was the “most difficult thing I’ve ever had to write”.
“In a moment Rebecca was gone and our lives were destroyed forever,” Mr Carkagis said.
“It has been a living hell without her … words cannot describe how much I miss her presence.”
Mr Carkagis said he was overseas when his sister died and the news left him in shock.
“I never imagined her dropping me at the airport would be the last time I see her alive,” he said.
“I often replay these incidents in my mind and how things could have been different … there is no end in sight.”
Mr Carkagis also spoke of his despair at not being able to get custody of his sister’s daughter.
Another brother — a member of the Australian Defence Force — said his sister’s death compounded the post traumatic stress he already suffered.
“She was one of my best friends … she was my little buddy,” he said.
The court heard Dimech, a dad, worked in sales for Fairfax Media, radio station SEN 1116 and the Comedy Club prior to the crash but was now unemployed.
It was submitted he sold his Ferrari but made no money as he still owed $35,000.
Dimech, who appeared via videolink from his Campbells Creek property, kept getting up and moving around which interrupted the hearing.
“Would you sit there and not move about,” his barrister said.
Judge Amanda Fox said there was evidence the Ferrari was speeding.
“This is more than a case of momentary inattention,” she said.
“Public roads aren’t racetracks … (the cars in the convoy) were driving fast.”
Dimech’s bail was extended for sentencing on September 17.
MORE NEWS
HOW ELITE COP UNIT TOOK DOWN BURGLARY CREW
BERWICK DAD'S VILE CHILD SEX CRIMES EXPOSED
PLASTERER RAN "ONE-MAN" CANNABIS RACKET FOR VIDEO GAME DREAM