Darren Kirwood pleads guilty to culpable driving causing death

A prison officer has pleaded to a horror crash that claimed the life of a beloved Deans Marsh mother in Winchelsea last year, as the case heads to a higher court.

Darren Kirwood has pleaded guilty to culpable driving causing the death of Kylie Doak (inset).

A former Barwon prison officer has accepted responsibility for claiming the life of a mother-of-three in a horror two-car smash in Winchelsea last year.

Darren Kirwood fronted Geelong Magistrates’ Court for a two-day committal hearing earlier this week, where the strength of the case against him was tested through cross-examination of witnesses.

Following the hearing, Kirwood pleaded guilty to two charges: culpable driving causing death and negligently causing serious injury – motor vehicle.

The other charges Kirwood had faced were struck out upon his guilty pleas.

The plea means Kirwood will still face the County Court, but it will be for a plea hearing, rather than a jury trial.

The Mount Duneed man was driving home from a friend’s wedding when his car collided head-on with another car on Winchelsea-Deans Marsh Rd after 10pm in Winchelsea on March 9.

Deans Marsh mother-of-three Kylie Doak was killed in the crash, while her daughter was rushed to hospital in a critical condition and was operated on the following day.

On Monday, two medical practitioners were among the witnesses to give evidence as part of the committal process.

Kirwood, the sole occupant of the second vehicle was also taken to hospital following the crash.

At a bail hearing in March last year, it was alleged Kirwood had a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.116 when breathalysed at the scene, more than double the legal limit.

Senior Constable Michael Fowler gave evidence at the bail hearing, telling the court hearing that Kirwood could be seen yelling and screaming in bodycam footage of the ambulance ride.

During the ride, the court was told Kirwood asked the officer to shoot him, asking paramedics to give him an overdose, attempting to strangle himself and punching himself in the head.

In November, a court heard lawyers for Kirwood had made two offers to resolve the matter, which were rejected by the prosecution.

Following his pleas, magistrate Ann McGarvie committed Kirwood to the County Court.

Kirwood’s bail was extended and he will next front court for a directions hearing in Geelong in the court’s July circuit, which starts July 7.

Originally published as Darren Kirwood pleads guilty to culpable driving causing death