Vic: Motorist jailed for killing young mother

AAP General News (Australia)
08-22-2008
Vic: Motorist jailed for killing young mother

MELBOURNE, Aug 22 AAP - A suicidal Melbourne motorist who killed a young mother when
he drove into her car at an estimated 150 km/h has been jailed for seven years.

Randall Wyatt Clark, 33, had undone his seatbelt and veered onto the wrong side of
Police Road, Mulgrave, hoping to hit a tree or pole and end his life.

Witnesses reported Clark's car was travelling very fast shortly before he slammed into
one car, seriously injuring driver Bopha Taing.

Clark's car then continued on, hitting Marilyn Hedrich's car so hard it flipped.

Ms Hedrich suffered extensive injuries and died on the operating table the following day.

Miraculously her baby Matthais, who was also in the car, was uninjured.

Clark pleaded guilty in the Victorian Supreme Court to culpable driving and dangerous
driving causing serious injury.

Judge Elizabeth Curtain said Clark's conduct was a very serious example of dangerous driving.

"Words cannot adequately describe the impact of your conduct on the lives of innocent
people," Justice Curtain said.

She ordered Clark serve a minimum of five years.

Outside court, police Leading Senior Constable Trevor Collins said the mental health
system failed Clark.

AAP df/pmu/jt/mn

KEYWORD: CLARK

2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.