Man Faces Sentencing Today 15 Years On From Fatal Karuah Smash

BY IAN CROUCH

 A disqualified driver high on drugs who caused a fatal crash at Karuah 15 years ago has pleaded guilty in Newcastle District Court.

Michael Collins will be sentenced today over the horrific 2001 head-on crash on the Pacific Highway which claimed the life of 26-year-old British woman Arabella Stuart and left three others seriously injured.

He fled the country to Turkey following the crash and was only arrested last year.

Members of Ms Stuart's family traveled from the UK for yesterday's sentence hearing and read emotional victim impact statements to the court.

The Fatal Crash Scene in January 2001. Picture Courtesy theherald.com.au

Driver Pleads Guilty To Fatal 2001 Crash

By IAN CROUCH

 A driver has pleaded guilty to causing a horrific head-on smash at Karuah 15 years ago which claimed the life of a British tourist and left 3 others seriously injured.

Michael Collins was disqualified from driving and high on cannabis when his Toyota Supra crossed to the wrong side of the Pacific Highway and collided with a campervan on January 13, 2001, killing 26-year-old Arabetta Stuart.

39-year-old Collins, also known as Metin Yuceturk, fled to Turkey less than a month after the crash and spent several years in hiding before being arrested in Sydney in October last year.

Yesterday, he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving occasioning death and three counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.

Charges of driving while disqualified, negligent driving and driving while under the influence of drugs will be considered when Collins is sentenced in Newcastle District Court.

He remains on bail after posting a $20,000 surety with the matter adjourned until July.

Images of the horrific crash scene in January 2001 courtesy theherald.com.au