Driver admits causing two crash deaths
Relatives of Peter Liebeck shed tears in court yesterday as the man accused of killing the 20-year-old and his friend Ben Brown in a car accident pleaded guilty.
Andrew David Richmond admitted dangerous driving occasioning the deaths of Mr Liebeck and Mr Brown, 23, and seriously injuring their friend Danny Woolhead when his Ford Falcon ploughed into the Mazda sedan the three young men were passengers in at an intersection in Hilton on April 3.
The Mazda driver was not seriously injured.
Richmond, 43, still faces charges of driving under the influence and driving an unlicensed vehicle in relation to the crash. He allegedly registered a blood alcohol level of .166 after the crash and had no recollection of the incident.
Richmond has two previous drink-driving convictions.
Outside court, Mr Liebeck's cousin Simon Coelho said the guilty plea was a relief for the family, who would be spared an agonising trial.
"But it doesn't bring him back," Mr Coelho said. "Nothing will bring back my cousin and we're going to grieve for the rest of our lives. My aunty (Peter's mum) has been left with nothing. Her sparkling soldier is gone, never to return."
He said Richmond had not approached the family to apologise and he was unsure if he would accept it.
"The fact that he took two boys, harmed another one and for his actions previous to the incident, I couldn't forgive him - no way," Mr Coelho said.
He said he believed the justice system had failed the family.
Mr Liebeck's uncle John Correia said he screamed when he learnt about his nephew's death.
"The family is not the same any more," he said.
Richmond was remanded in custody to be sentenced in the District Court on August 15.
He will reappear in Fremantle Magistrate's Court on September 9 for the remaining charges.
