Christopher Joannidis sentenced to over 5 years for fatal crash

·

A driver has been sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison after ignoring a warning about a dangerous intersection and causing a crash that killed five people in Victoria.

In April 2023, Christopher Joannidis, 31, was warned by two police officers about the hazardous roads in Strathmerton, where nine people had already died in the past 18 months.

Despite the warning, Joannidis proceeded to cross three rumble strips and ignore give-way signs, driving his Mercedes Benz into a Nissan Navara ute, which was then struck by a truck.

The crash resulted in the deaths of 62-year-old Deborah Markey, her dog Sophie, and four farm workers from Taiwan and Hong Kong: Zhi-Yao Chen, Pin-Yu Wang, Wai Yan Lam and Hsin-Yu Chen.

Photo: Joel Carrett / AAP Photos.

Joannidis, who pleaded guilty to five counts of dangerous driving causing death, had his bail revoked in November 2024.

His defence argued he should not be jailed due to psychiatric conditions, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, prosecutor Daniel Porceddu said Joannidis could manage his condition with medication, which he had refused to take.

Judge Gavan Meredith described the crash as “horrific” and imposed a maximum five-and-a-half-year sentence, taking into account Joannidis’ remorse and rehabilitation prospects.

Joannidis will be eligible for parole after serving at least three years.

Source: 9 News.

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Review: A Cretan culinary journey with Peter Conistis at Ammos, Brighton-Le-Sands

To mark the first anniversary of Ammos at Brighton-Le-Sands, Sydney, Peter Conistis launched his much-anticipated regional dinner series.

Greek Welfare Centre launches 2025 Winter Community Appeal to support families in need

The Greek Welfare Centre will host its annual Winter Community Appeal on Thursday, 24 July 2025, at Marrickville Town Hall, from 9am to 4pm.

Fronditha Care finalists shine in national aged care awards

Ageing Australia’s 2025 You are ACE! Awards are a national initiative that recognises individuals making a positive impact in aged care.

Australia-Greece medical ties strengthen with push for mutual recognition of degrees

Efforts to enhance Australia-Greece medical cooperation were the focus of a meeting between Dr Pirpiris, Dr Pantos and Prof Arkadopoulos.

Cypriot Australian Koraly Dimitriadis wins US poetry award

Controversial, Cypriot-Australian poet, writer, performer, film and theatre maker, Koraly Dimitradis's first poetry book, Love and Fck Poems.

You May Also Like

Tsitsipas faces off against Frenchman Gasquet in epic tennis return

Played behind closed doors, Greek international Stefanos Tsitsipas will face off against Frenchman Richard Gasquet in the opening round of the UTS Showdown.

Joe Biden sends message to mark bicentenary of 1821 Greek Revolution

US President, Joe Biden, has sent Greece's President a letter to mark Greece’s celebration of the bicentenary of the 1821 Greek Revolution.

Gravanis brothers raise $37.4 million for Luna Park revamp

Bill Gravanis has raised $37.4m to fund the park’s revamp by selling The Village on Summer Street mall in Orange.