Canberra Football Club captain Paul Ivanic has pleaded guilty to negligent driving causing the death of a mate after a car accident near Bodalla on the Princes Highway.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In a case that has taken Police and Director of Public Prosecutions more than two years to negotiate a plea, Mr Ivanic, 29, of Queanbeyan, pleaded guilty before Batemans Bay Local Court this week to the offence that happened at 2am on February 21, 2009.
Mr Ivanic was driving a white Subaru owned by his friend David Monsma when he lost control on a curve 500m north of Whitakers Creek Bridge.
The Subaru crossed onto the incorrect side of the road, colliding with an oncoming Toyota 4WD.
Mr Monsma, who was a front seat passenger, died at the scene from his injuries.
The crash happened in a known accident spot
According to agreed Crown facts, Mr Ivanic was driving at a speed of 95 to 100km/h in a 100km/h speed zone with an advisory speed of 75km/h for the curve.
The Crown case states the midfielder, who plays in the Capital Football Premier League, was negligent in that his speed was excessive in the wet conditions.
With the guilty plea made, the Crown withdrew a second charge - with no evidence offered – that had alleged Mr Ivanic drove while he had a prescribed illicit drug (the amphetamine MDMA) in his system.
Also in the Subaru that fatal night was friend Simon Jeffrey, who was with the men when they left a Queanbeyan hotel to drive down to the South Coast.
Mr Ivanic took over driving Mr Monsma’s car at Braidwood when the owner became tired.
Mr Ivanic in his police statement said: “I have no recollection of the accident. All I can recall is that I was the driver of the car when it left Braidwood”.
Crown facts state that the section of road where the fatal crash happened had now been improved with resurfacing and the erection of many reflective chevrons to warn drivers.
Facts state: “The remedial roadwork was done in consequence partially of eight collisions on that stretch of highway in five years. Seven of the crashes took place in wet conditions and speed was a factor in six of these eight”.
Magistrate Chris Bone referred to Mr Ivanic’s prior traffic offences saying his driving record was not great.
His criminal traffic history includes speeding offences and a mid-range drink driving offence in 2001.
Asked by Mr Bone if the Crown was seeking a jail sentence, the prosecutor said no instructions had yet been given on this.
The case was adjourned to November 7 for sentence.
