A high-speed crash in which three people died in Melbourne’s south-east, including Savvas and Ismini Menelaou has been described by prosecutors as the worst example of driving in the state’s legal history.
Brazilian national Nei Lima Da Costa, 30, was under the influence of methamphetamine, also known as the drug ice, when he crashed through the intersection of Warrigal and Dandenong roads at Oakleigh in January this year.
At the time of the fatal accident his car was travelling at 120 kilometres an hour, 40kms over the speed limit, and more than 18 seconds after the traffic lights had turned red.
Lima Da Costa’s car first struck and killed 45-year-old pedestrian Anthony Parsons and then crashed into a car carrying members of the Menelaou family, who were returning from a wedding. Two members of the family, Savvas and Ismini, were killed while other family members including the son of the elderly Greek Australian couple, Menelaos, were critically injured.
The 30 year old diver has pleaded guilty to culpable driving causing death and his lawyers have asked the court not to impose a heavy sentence.
However, prosecutors said it was the worst case of driving to ever come before a court in the state of Victoria. The court was also told that Nei Lima Da Costa had a history of drug-taking.
Source: ABC