Driver on drug run jailed over Dutch cyclist’s death
A speeding driver in a stolen car who hit and killed a Dutch cyclist who was riding in a bike lane in South Yarra last year has been jailed for 11 years.
Law & Order
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Dutch cyclist Gitta Scheenhouwer had journeyed to Melbourne from the other side of the world to live her dream of becoming an architect.
But the 27-year-old’s life was cut tragically short when speeding driver Michael Panayides crashed into her in a stolen car on his way to buy drugs.
He was doing 80kmh in a 40 zone on South Yarra’s Chapel St in a Mercedes, trying to overtake the car in front, when he lost control.
Ms Scheenhouwer, who was riding in a bike lane on the sunny Sunday morning in August 2018, died at the scene.
Panayides was jailed on Friday for 11 years and slapped with a 20-year driving ban.
Judge Michael McInerney found his culpability in the mid to high range and his rehabilitation prospects poor.
“One can only describe the speed as really frightening,” he said. “The results and consequences of such speed are cruelly dramatic.”
Panayides fled after the crash and wasn’t found until 30 hours later.
Tests after his arrest showed several substances in his body but prosecutors could not demonstrate he was drug-affected at the time of the incident.
“Failing to stop in these circumstances is a despicable and cowardly act,” the judge said.
“Mr Panayides, each of your victims has had a profound, senseless, needless loss at your hands. It’s a serious case of negligent culpable driving emanating from blatant disregard for the life and safety of others on the road.”
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Panayides will serve a minimum 8½ years in jail.
Statements read in court painted Ms Scheenhouwer as an energetic and adventurous woman with a zest for life.
Her parents, siblings and boyfriend Thomas Kleinegris, who was living in Melbourne with her at the time, travelled from the Netherlands for the sentence.
Panayides pleaded guilty to multiple charges including culpable driving causing death, failing to assist and recklessly causing injury.