Fatal crash driver on drugs

THE man who caused the death of a much-loved welfare worker in a Belmont crash had drugs in his system at the time of the incident.

Broderick Bohr was driving at an estimated speed of 108km/h on the wrong side of Barrabool Rd when he collided head-on with a car being driven by Highton’s Stephen Hartle.

Mr Hartle, a respected veterans support worker, died as a result of the crash, while a passenger in Bohr’s car had to be resuscitated in hospital.

Bohr, 43, pleaded guilty in Geelong County Court yesterday to charges including culpable driving causing death, negligently causing serious injury, unlicensed driving and drug driving.

The court heard the Geelong man had ice and amphetamines in his system when he caused the crash about 11.25am on May 28 last year.

Mr Hartle, 59, was driving towards Geelong when Bohr — heading west on Barrabool Rd — performed a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre in his Holden Commodore.

Unable to complete the overtake, Bohr sideswiped one car before careering head-on into Mr Hartle’s Mercedes Benz outside the Riverglen Holiday Park. Mr Hartle was flown to The Alfred hospital but died on arrival.

His long-time partner, Chris, was also in the car and spent one night in hospital with broken ribs.

A 22-year-old man in Bohr’s car was also hospitalised and had to be resuscitated in Geelong hospital’s emergency department.

Bohr, meanwhile, escaped the crash with a broken arm.

At the time of causing the incident, the plasterer was on bail and serving a community corrections order.

Seventeen victim impact statements were tendered to the court yesterday from Mr Hartle’s relatives, friends and co-workers.

They each spoke of a popular and loyal man who lived for his family and cared about the welfare of others.

At the time of his death, Mr Hartle was working at Epworth Geelong as a veterans’ liaison officer, which came after more than a decade at Barwon Health where he performed similar work.

Mr Hartle’s older sister, Christine Michalak, told the court the loss of her brother had left a “huge hole” in her life.

“There was only one Stephen,” she said. “He was only 59 and so full of fun and life. It is heartbreaking to see my grandchildren grow up without him.

“My life has changed and nothing will be the same.”

Niece Kate Hebbard said Mr Hartle was “more like a dad” and she described him as her hero.

“He had so much more to do and give in his life,” she said.

As the statements were read to the court, family members regularly turned and faced Bohr, who was seated in the dock. Defence barrister Jonathan Rattray said Bohr was “deeply remorseful” and had been plagued with guilt since the incident.

He said Bohr became a heavy ice user in 2014 after the breakdown of a relationship and the loss of work.

The court heard Bohr had been a plasterer for more than 20 years and once ran his own business.

Mr Rattray said his client accepted a “significant” jail term was inevitable.

Bohr, who has been in custody since the crash, will return to court next Friday for sentencing.