The family of a woman killed by a drink driver speeding north of Newcastle say a guilty plea provides some closure but will not bring their mother back.
Jacqueline Sainsbury, 64, was sitting in her parked car on the side of Pindimar Road in Pindimar near Tea Gardens when she was struck by another vehicle on October 4 last year.
She died at the scene from multiple injuries.
Christopher James Carne, 47, today pleaded guilty to manslaughter in Newcastle Local Court.
Several other charges, including drink driving and speeding, are to be taken into account during sentencing.
According to police, Carne was travelling at more than 45 kilometres per hour above a 100kph speed limit when his car crashed into Ms Sainsbury's.
His car also hit a tree and came to rest in a fence about 25 metres away from the victim's car.
Witnesses told police they saw Carne's car travelling on the wrong side of the road before the crash.
Call ends in tragedy
Ms Sainsbury had driven to Pindimar Road to get reception to call one of her daughters.
Outside court, her daughter Cheryl Harb said it was daily routine for her mother.
"Our mum did nothing wrong. She was parked on the side of the road making a phone call that she would do every single day of every single week," she said.
"The fact that she was taken so suddenly and so abruptly by someone that knew the consequences when they got behind the wheel.
"We just want justice for our mum."
Ms Harb said today was a "partial win" for the family.
"He's acknowledged the fact that he's guilty and he will serve his time and that's all we ask for," she said.
Ann Sainsbury said her mother was a happy lady who adored her family.
"She loved her kids, she loved her grandkids, she loved her great grandkids and she missed out on meeting two of them because she was taken too soon," she said.
Carne's bail was revoked and he was taken into custody ahead of sentencing proceedings starting next month.
