An elderly driver who killed a mother-of-two after ploughing into tables outside a Sydney cafe never wants to get behind the wheel again, a court has heard.
Liz Albornoz, 39, and her friends were enjoying a morning coffee at the North Epping eatery in February when Keith Lockrey, 90, drove into them, pinning at least two people against a wall.
She was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition with stomach injuries but later died.
Lockrey, who first got his driver's licence in 1949, faced magistrate Susan Horan for a sentence hearing on Friday at Burwood Local Court, where his matter was adjourned.
He pleaded guilty in October to three charges including one count of negligent driving causing death and one count of negligent driving causing grievous bodily harm.
The pensioner's lawyer, Stephen Mainstone, said Lockrey had demonstrated "clear and genuine remorse".
"We're certainly not diminishing that there was a death and serious injuries...(but) there was one moment of inattention, possibly in the span of two to three seconds," Mr Mainstone told the court on Friday.
"All the planets aligned and the tragic situation happened."
But Mr Mainstone said Lockrey had already conceded his "days of driving are over".
"He's not interested in driving again," Mr Mainstone told the court.
Paramedics treated nine others after the incident, including four who were taken to hospital in a stable condition.
"They were just enjoying a meeting together, having coffee, and they were struck by this vehicle," Detective Inspector Mark Christie said in February.
He described the scene of the accident as "horrendous and chaotic" for emergency services when they arrived.
Lockrey entered a disabled parking space outside the North Epping Shopping Village before pressing the accelerator, causing his car to suddenly move forwards, courts documents show.
Ms Albornoz was pinned against the brick wall of the cafe with the table she had been sitting at pressed against her stomach.
Lockrey, who had no prior criminal convictions, passed a negative alcohol result after his arrest and indicated to police he had accidentally pressed the accelerator instead of the brake.
No faults or defects were found in his Holden Commodore.
The widower will next face court on November 27.
Australian Associated Press
