Mum of motorcyclist fatally hit by car tells court of 'immeasurable' devastation

A grieving mother who lost her son in a motorcycle crash has told a court of her devastation and is issuing a plea to motorists to "check, double check and check again" for bikes while driving.

Elena Murav'eva's only child, Danny Gailey, 21, died in hospital after he was struck by a car while riding his motorcycle a short distance from his home at Aldinga Beach, south of Adelaide, in May 2024.

The driver, Elizabeth Meg Krainz, 28, became the first person to be charged with causing death by careless driving, under new laws introduced after the death of teenager Sophia Naismith, who was killed by an out-of-control Lamborghini while walking on a footpath.

Sophia's father, Luke, who called for change in the wake of that crash, attended the hearing in support of Mr Gailey's friends and family.

Krainz pleaded guilty over the collision with Mr Gailey.

In a victim impact statement read by her friend Jenny Thompson on her behalf, Mr Gailey's mother said there were "no words in existence to describe the pain of losing a child".

"The most painful thing to do is having to continue without him," Ms Murav'eva said in the statement.

"[The] devastation of every road fatality is immeasurable, and now I know it first-hand.

"Danny lived with a gusto and with so much light and contagious fun in him, and he shared it freely with everyone around him."

She said "nobody planned what happened that day", but wanted the legacy of her son's death to be a "reminder for all drivers to check, double-check and check again for the bikes on the roads".

"We cannot take them off the roads; they will always be there," she said.

"Make Danny's day."

In other victim impact statements read to the court, Danny was described as "the most beautiful soul" who was full of life, and who was protective, selfless and energetic with "contagious laughter".

'No words can ease that loss'

Leah O'Donnell, prosecuting, told the court that Krainz had THC in her blood at the time of the crash, and it "may have" had an effect on her driving, but it could not be proved that she was under the effects of cannabis at the time of the crash.

She said Krainz had admitted she did not see Mr Gailey riding before pulling out in front of him.

The court heard Mr Gailey had been travelling at speeds of more than 140 kilometres per hour in an 80km/h zone for about seven kilometres before the crash, but it was unclear at what speed he was travelling at the point of impact.

Through her lawyer, Michael Woods, Krainz issued an apology to Mr Gailey's friends and family, saying she was "truly sorry for the pain, grief and heartbreak" and that she thought about him every day.

"I know that no words can ease that loss. I wish I could turn back time.

"This was a tragic accident and I take my responsibility for my actions and for the role I played."

Mr Woods urged the court to suspend any sentence of imprisonment to be imposed or allow it to be served on home detention.

He said Krainz had no priors, had no intention to cause the crash, was remorseful and had demonstrated remorse since the crash, including ceasing cannabis use.

She will be sentenced next month.