A man who killed a nurse in a hit-and-run crash in Melbourne's east has pleaded guilty to culpable driving causing death and several other charges.
Sebastian Kennett, 21, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court and admitted to seven charges, including failing to stop after a death and theft of a motor vehicle.
Murrumbeena woman Lynda Hansen, 53, was returning home from dinner when her car was struck by the vehicle being driven by Kennett on Warrigal Road, Oakleigh on October 9, according to a redacted version of the prosecution summary.
She died after suffering critical chest injuries.
A cardiac nurse, Ms Hansen was about to start a new job at a large private hospital.
The summary indicated Kennett was driving more than 160 kilometres per hour just before the collision.
He hit a tree about 70 metres past the crash scene.
The prosecution summary said Kennett "briefly spoke to a witness before fleeing the collision scene".
"Yeah I'm OK just give me a couple of minutes to get back on my feet," he told the witness, then he ran away.
He was arrested three days later.
At the time of her death, Ms Hansen's family remembered her as a caring and compassionate woman who led a "dedicated spiritual life," loved yoga, sang in a gospel choir and enjoyed overseas travel and caring for her elderly mother.
Kennett will return to court for a plea hearing in June.
