Homeless driver, 26, was addicted to heroin and ice and on his way to buy more drugs in a stolen car when he killed Dutch cyclist, 27, in horror hit-and-run
- Gitta Scheenhoouwer, 27, was run over and killed in a hit-and-run in August 2018
- She was riding in bike lane in Melbourne when she was hit by Michael Panayides
- Homeless driver Panayides, 26, admitted causing the Dutch woman's death
- Police say that he was on his way to buy drugs in a stolen car when he crashed
A 26-year old homeless driver who killed a dutch cyclist in a hit-and-run was addicted to ice and heroin and on his way to buy drugs when he lost control of the vehicle.
Michael Panayides pleaded guilty to culpable driving causing the death of Gitta Scheenhoouwer after stealing a car and crashing into her on August 12 last year, according to 9News.
He also admitted to failing to render assistance, negligently dealing with proceeds of crime, theft of a motor vehicle and recklessly causing injury in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Ms Scheenhouwer was cycling in the bike lane on Chapel Street in South Yarra when Panayides smashed into her.
Gitta Scheenhouwer (pictured), from The Hague, had just landed her dream job as an architect when she died, her family revealed in a moving statement following her death
Michael Panayides (pictured) pleaded guilty to culpable driving causing the death of Gitta Scheenhoouwer after stealing a car and crashing into her on August 12 last year
The cyclist, who was living in Australia on a tourist visa with her boyfriend, was pinned against another car and died at the scene.
Panayides had used heroin the night before and was on his way to purchase more drugs when he crashed the stolen Mercedes-Benz.
He fled the scene, but a witness chased him down.
'You need to stop and come back to confront this. There is nowhere to go,' the witness told him.
Tributes, such as flowers and cards, were left at the scene of the crash for the Danish national (pictured)
Tributes, such as flowers and cards, were left at the scene of the crash for the Danish national.
Share this article
Miss Scheenhouwer, from The Hague, had just landed her dream job as an architect when she died, her family revealed in a moving statement following her death.
'Everyone who had the privilege of knowing Gitta knows that she will always be in our hearts as the sweet, spontaneous, cheerful girl who was always busy with all of the things she wanted to do whilst smiling from ear to ear,' her family said.
'Gitta and her boyfriend Thomas left their safe haven in the Netherlands to follow their dream to 'live Down Under' for a couple of years.'
The cyclist, who was living in Australia on a tourist visa with her boyfriend, was left pinned against another car and died at the scene
Miss Scheenhouwer, from The Hague, had just landed her dream job as an architect when she died, her family revealed in a moving statement following her death
The couple had spent years studying and gaining work experience to get careers in Australia.
After visiting Sydney and Brisbane, the couple drove to Melbourne.
'At first they explored the city as tourists, but after a while Melbourne was becoming their own and it started feeling like a home town.'
Her family said she also enjoyed sightseeing, job hunting, 'trying every gelato shop in Melbourne' and cycling along the Yarra River.
He is due to appear in the County Court for a directions hearing on Thursday.
