No ill will to killer driver
Family opts to show compassion instead
THE family of a man killed by a drug-driver in North Geelong say they hold no animosity towards the woman who caused the fatal collision.
Briana Castle, 26, was high on GHB and ice when she crashed head-on into a vehicle driven by Georgi Jigalin along Thompson Rd.
The 88-year-old was flown to the Royal Melbourne Hospital and died two days later.
Castle, now 27, pleaded guilty at the County Court yesterday to culpable driving causing death.
Prosecutor Andrew Moore told the court Mr Jigalin’s family had chosen not to provide victim impact statements.
He said the man’s son had indicated the reason was influenced by a desire to show compassion to Castle.
“His family wish no ill will to the accused and hope that she goes to school or does something positive with her life so this event doesn’t define her,” Mr Moore said.
“He said his parents, including the deceased, were both refugees to this country and had experienced a lot of death and suffering, and didn’t want to wish any suffering to others.
“And he, as the family member, believes he is acting how his father would wish him to do.”
The fatal collision occurred while Castle was driving north along Thompson Rd about 3.30pm on May 11 last year.
Witnesses saw the Winchelsea woman speeding above the 60km/h limit before she veered on to the opposite side of the road and crashed into Mr Jigalin’s vehicle between Separation St and Furner Ave.
Following the crash, she was taken to hospital where nurses found a small bag of ice in her bra.
Mr Moore said a blood sample was drawn, which showed the presence of GHB and ice at levels that meant Castle would have been incapable of properly controlling her vehicle.
Investigators also discovered a notebook in her handbag that contained a series of concerning letters penned to loved ones, including one that read: “Sorry to do this to ya … I need you to really push for me not to have a funeral.”
The letters were dated on the same day as the collision, which occurred exactly one year after Castle’s mother committed suicide.
It was claimed in court that the letters were part of Castle’s psychological treatment regimen and not an indication of her intent to take her own life.
However, defence barrister Ashlea Addamo said her client had become “emotionally distressed” moments before the collision after hearing a song her mother liked being played on the car radio.
Ms Addamo said Castle had also struggled with the deaths of other close family members in the years prior, including her father and brother, which culminated in heavy drug use.
She said Castle was genuinely remorseful.
Castle has been in custody since charges were laid in July last year.
Judge Gerard Mullaly will sentence her on June 25.
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