In a solemn courtroom in Adelaide, the air was heavy with grief and regret as 87-year-old Elemer Dobak faced the consequences of a moment that changed lives forever.

The elderly driver, who ran a red light in February 2023, resulting in the death of a pedestrian, stood before the District Court, his remorse palpable.

The tragic incident occurred outside the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where Rosewater grandmother Joan McCaskill, 85, was critically injured and later succumbed to her injuries in the hospital.

The loss of McCaskill, described by her family as 'the jewel' of their lives, has left an indelible mark on her loved ones.

Elemer Dobak pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving outside Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Credit: 7News / YouTube

Granddaughter Rachel Asir spoke of her grandmother's strength and independence.

‘(She was) strong, fiercely independent, a pillar of the community,’

The court heard that Dobak had an unobstructed view of the road on the day of the crash.

Prosecutors emphasised that the traffic light had been red for seven seconds before he drove through the intersection.

Despite regular assessments of his eyesight, which had deemed him fit to drive, Dobak could not explain his failure to notice the critical signal.

The McCaskill family shared their harrowing experience of indescribable trauma, having witnessed their matriarch in a state of vulnerability they never imagined.

They expressed that Dobak's actions, which led to such a devastating outcome, were 'unforgivable and inexcusable.'

Outside the courtroom, a distraught Dobak apologised, saying he was 'sorry for everything.'

A supporter by his side conveyed their devastation and extended heartfelt sympathies to Mrs McCaskill's family, acknowledging the gravity of the tragedy.

Dobak will face a sentence in August.

In related news, Paulette Mountford, a grandmother, is in critical condition after an alleged stabbing attack by her partner in Perth's east.

The case, considered domestic violence, saw Mountford found injured in her garden before being rushed to Royal Perth Hospital for emergency surgery. Read more here.

Key Takeaways

• Elemer Dobak, an 87-year-old man from Findon, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving outside the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in February 2023.
• The victim, Joan McCaskill, an 85-year-old grandmother from Rosewater, was critically injured in the crash and later died in the hospital.
• The court heard that Dobak had an unobstructed view when he ran a red light that had been red for seven seconds, and his fitness to drive had been regularly assessed.
• The McCaskill family expressed their grief in court, describing the indescribable trauma and referring to Dobak's actions as unforgivable and inexcusable. In contrast, Dobak and his supporter expressed their devastation and apologised to the family. Dobak will be sentenced in August.

Have you faced a similar situation? How did you or your loved ones decide to stop driving? Your insights could be invaluable to someone else in our community.

 

[BeautifulMousey]

It wasn't an accident if Mr Elemer Dobak allegedly went through a red light SEVEN seconds after it turned red. It was blatant inattention on his part. Totally avoidable.

Maybe he didn't have his glasses on. Anyway, I'm only 76 and my reactions are very slow maybe his were too. Don't think he meant to hit and kill her

 

[BeautifulMousey]

Hi Vicki you always hit the nail on the head and sum everything up fairly and clearly. l can imagine the McCaskills grief and l sympathise and also them saying it wouldn't have happen had he not been driving and by the looks of it he shouldn't have been.Perhaps it might be safer for everyone if the elderly drivers that love to drive have someone with them.

By the time they tell him to hit the brakes it will be to late. Best thing is when drivers start getting up in age they should for everyone's sake turn in there licence. Was another bad accident just recently where the driver went through a fence at a hotel garden killing 5 people

 

[Ebby]

By the time they tell him to hit the brakes it will be to late. Best thing is when drivers start getting up in age they should for everyone's sake turn in there licence. Was another bad accident just recently where the driver went through a fence at a hotel garden killing 5 people

Oh dear! perhaps everyone should go out wearing body protection !

 

[Macarj]

Very very tragic for all involved. My condolences to the family who have lost their loved one my heart goes out to the driver too. This man is heart broken for the death and grief he has caused to the family. I truly don't know what jail time would achieve. The driver is elderly he will never be allowed to hold a driver's licence again and has to live with the death he caused for what ever time he has left here on earth. I can imagine his life is ruined now. The poor ladies family l understand their pain would be so deep the loss profound. But really what will it achieve to put this man in jail. He didn't set out to cause harm to anyone that day. It is a no win tragic situation for all involved.
Sadly to say as some people get older they just won't see that it's time to hang up their driver's licence. It is a very difficult subject to broach with a loved one. I still hold a driver's licence but l have chosen to stop driving due to oesto arthritis. My reflexes are not good enough l cannot turn my head enough to do head checks it's very difficult for me to climb in and out of the car. I felt it was best for myself and other drivers around me if l stopped driving.
Please think about your ability to drive are you safe to be on the road it's really not the end of life giving up your licence. I am not elderly only 61. Best to be safe than sorry.
Kind regards to all Vicki

I also think some younger people should address their poor driving skills

 

[BeautifulMousey]

I also think some younger people should address their poor driving skills

They can try to avoid the police by doing 170-180 up to 200 KPH. That's way over the limit and they are chased for miles through different suburbs

 

[Viellarde]

I'm 76. Think I could get a licence. I've only been driving people up the wall or crazy

Sorry @BeautifulMousey. You've exhausted your licence already. I'm an expert in the matter. My headstone will read 'She drove everyone.....' open to all comments. Yes, I also chauffeured people of all ages and disabilities around, but I excel at 'wall and crazy'.

 

[BeautifulMousey]

Sorry @BeautifulMousey. You've exhausted your licence already. I'm an expert in the matter. My headstone will read 'She drove everyone.....' open to all comments. Yes, I also chauffeured people of all ages and disabilities around, but I excel at 'wall and crazy'.

 

[Knell]

One of the odd things that I have noticed is that green light about 100m past the red light is verv noticeable and possibly more so than the red light if one is focusing on looking down the road in anticipation of some adverse event occurring 50-75 metres ahead. The most alarming colour is yellow; it has a shorter wavelength than red and is more visible. Green has an even shorter wavelength and to me at least appears brighter than red as a transmitted light and hence is even more noticeable.

One wonders about the utility of red as opposed to green as a warning signal in traffic lights, but tradition has it that the reflected red light, as in a warning flag, stands out more than green and thus we use red transmitted light for "stop".

There rests a PhD topic for someone.

Oh, good try! LOL. been this way for over 100 years (you should like it) haha... Garrett Morgan, a black American invented it. It has worked fine all this time.

 

[Knell]

He didn't intend to do the crime. It was an accident

Of course not...but if this had been a young driver who killed the old woman....OMG bring out the whip and life in jail! No if, buts or maybes! LOL

 

[relljube]

Good to see that a "medical episode" or "hit the accelerator instead of the brake" excuse was not carted out in the article.

If you don't know where the brake and accelerator is in relation to your feet as an "experienced" driver, just hand your licence in for good.

I still think that the reason there are so ay instances of mistaking brake for accelerator is because our cars are so much smaller and narrower these days, with the spacing of the pedals much too close in an emergency. Perhaps the design engineers of motor vehicles need to keep this in mind when setting out the car interiors.
As to handing in a licence in Qld testing seems to be on an ad-hoc basis. I know of a elderly gentleman who suffers badly from dementia but is still allowed to keep his licence for local travel (within 10km) - as if this distance is going to promote more safety in his driving - I think he is on auto-pilot when he goes to the shop to get his paper and bread.

 

[Veggiepatch]

By the time they tell him to hit the brakes it will be to late. Best thing is when drivers start getting up in age they should for everyone's sake turn in there licence. Was another bad accident just recently where the driver went through a fence at a hotel garden killing 5 people

I remember that clearly. It was late last year in Daylesford, Victoria.

Typical BMW driver....

 

[BellaB18]

Hi Vicki you always hit the nail on the head and sum everything up fairly and clearly. l can imagine the McCaskills grief and l sympathise and also them saying it wouldn't have happen had he not been driving and by the looks of it he shouldn't have been.Perhaps it might be safer for everyone if the elderly drivers that love to drive have someone with them.

Hi Ebby, thank you for your kind words. I always try to step out of box and look at the bigger picture. I try hard not to be judgementle. My mum tells me all the time. You are different to everyone else in this world. I don't know if it's a compliment or mum finds me frustrating.
I just try to be a kind caring human every day.
Take care kind regards Vicki

 

[BeautifulMousey]

I remember that clearly. It was late last year in Daylesford, Victoria.

Typical BMW driver....

Yes it was

 

[marni]

"How did you or your loved ones decide to stop driving?"

That decision could only come when/if a person acknowledges that their ongoing right to drive doesn't extend to his/her driving after he/she perceives a reduction in their own driving ability.

As we age, our abilities for a range of things are affected. This observation is not intended as an invitation to unleash bucket loads of critical evaluation.

It is not difficult to see that your driving skills have declined when/if this happens. (provided you are not affected by any forms of cognitive decline).

We have to use our brains.

Sadly, ego often trumps brains.

Regular driver testing, say every 5 years may address the danger of potential harm by drivers whose skills are lacking.

In nsw. There are annual assessment with your doctor from 75. After 85 you have to undergo a driving test through services nsw. I wish the young hoons would have a similar mental test.

 

[BeautifulMousey]

In nsw. There are annual assessment with your doctor from 75. After 85 you have to undergo a driving test through services nsw. I wish the young goons would have a similar mental test.

What for, they can't test what's not there.

 

[Annna]

Yes I know how it works. My comment was anecdotal.

Ok

 

[Annna]

In nsw. There are annual assessment with your doctor from 75. After 85 you have to undergo a driving test through services nsw. I wish the young hoons would have a similar mental test.

Yes, test every driver, every 5 years.