A Victorian driver who killed a 73-year-old man after drinking says he wishes he could switch places with the victim.
Stephen Papagelou, 29, killed Henry Ekselman on Melbourne's Chapel Street in November 2018 while the elderly man was crossing the road.
Papagelou, who pleaded guilty to culpable driving causing death, returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.075, above the legal limit of 0.05.
He apologised on Thursday to Mr Ekselman's loved ones at the Victorian County Court through his lawyer Peter Morrissey, but said he could not ask for their forgiveness.
"If I could turn back time and switch places with (Mr Ekselman) I would do it in a heartbeat," Papagelou said in his statement.
"I know there's nothing I could say that could bring you peace, and to be honest I do not expect your forgiveness, but I am truly sorry.
"All I can hope for is that you remember the good times with him."
Mr Ekselman's daughter Cherry Hense told the court she had regular nightmares about the 73-year-old being struck by Papagelou in a Mercedes Benz that was travelling about 60km/h.
She described him as a generous and caring parent who cried when she told him she was pregnant with her first child.
"The traumatic death of my father brought significant shock and lasting, unresolved grief," Mrs Hense said.
"The degree of physical destruction to his body meant I was not initially permitted to view it and was later allowed only to see his face."
Henry Ekselman's son Will said his grief was compounded by the fact his father's organs could not be donated following his death.
"This was one of the cruellest moments - knowing that absolutely no good could come from this terrible event," Mr Ekselman said.
Mr Morrissey said his client made a bad decision and was "shattered" by the hurt he had caused Mr Ekselman's family.
"You could not have clearer remorse - it's the self-loathing, internalised sense of remorse," the lawyer said.
"He has been on a path to a decent life. And that may not be beyond salvation, but he has to get through the punishment he will receive here and his own self-loathing."
Prosecutor Robyn Harper said a staff member at the Prince Alfred Hotel spoke to Papagelou about his "rowdy behaviour" about 90 minutes before the incident.
Judge Kevin Doyle remanded the 29-year-old in custody and said he would be jailed.
Papagelou is due to be sentenced on April 12.
