Man who fled crash admits to leaving man to die, court hears
A man who fled a fiery crash which killed a 21-year-old has admitted leaving the young man to die, a court has heard.
The distraught family of the crash victim wept outside court after the heartbreaking details were read out.
Ashleigh Gason was killed when his motorbike burst into flames after colliding with a Commodore on Nepean Highway in July 2017.
On Tuesday, Santino Bankal admitted in court to leaving the motorcyclist for dead.
"It's been pretty horrific, very bad news," Gason's uncle Lee Birrell said on Tuesday.
The court heard Bankal also pleaded guilty to driving an unregistered car on a suspended learner's permit.
After the Commodore hit its victim it spun 180 degrees.
Bankal escaped his burning car unscathed - but Ashleigh Gason was not so lucky.
After his arrest, Bankal told police he had "freaked out" and "didn't know what to do."
Mum left with $50 a week after spending Centrelink money on vet bills
Girl suffers critical head injuries after being struck by SUV
"I accept I should have remained," he said.
"The motorcyclist was already on fire. I was shocked and overwhelmed."
Bankal faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for fleeing the horrific crash.
The magistrate must now decided whether the case should move to the county court for sentencing.
The case was adjourned until Monday.
