The family of a father-of-three who was killed in a fatal hit-and-run at San Remo on the New South Wales Central Coast have told of how his death had "broken a family to pieces".
Almost two years on, the driver of the vehicle that struck and killed 41-year-old Adam Beattie was spared jail time when she faced Gosford District Court for sentencing.
Lisa Maria Curtale, 45, was given a two-year intensive corrections order, to be served in the community, after she hit Mr Beattie as he was walking along Scenic Drive, San Remo on the July 28, 2018.
Mr Beattie's partner of 20 years, Zoe Breakwell, discovered his body in shrubs beside the road the following morning.
Curtale pleaded guilty to failing to stop and assist after a fatal crash, and negligent driving occasioning death.
Judge Tanya Bright accepted that Curtale showed genuine remorse and that her anxiety disorder contributed to her failing to stop after hitting Mr Beattie.
Curtale has maintained she thought she hit an animal and that she did not stop to check because it was dark and she was alone.
Adam Beattie remembered as 'amazing father'
During a previous hearing, Mr Beattie's family gave emotional victim impact statements about how their lives changed since incident.
His 16-year-old daughter, Maddison, said he was an "amazing father" who had "a smile that could light up the whole room".
She said she now lived with anxiety and was unable to sleep or attend school.
"When I get married, Dad won't be there to walk me down the aisle," Maddison said.
"I am scared to live life without my dad."
Mr Beattie's partner, Zoe Breakwell, told the court of the grief that she and her family continued to endure.
Ms Breakwell said in the weeks after Mr Beattie's death the family dog would stay up all night weeping.
She described Mr Beattie as her "forever partner", a kind and compassionate man who loved soccer and loved teaching the game to his kids.
On the night of his death the pair had an argument at Doyalson RSL, which led to Mr Beattie walking home.
The following morning, Ms Breakwell went out looking for her partner.
Ms Breakwell recounted in detail discovering her partner's shoes, and then his body, in shrubs beside a guard rail.
"The barrier felt like it was never-ending until I got to Adam's lifeless body that you left there," she said to Curtale, who could be seen sobbing throughout the hearing.
"I broke. My heart shattered."
Ms Breakwell said she had been living with anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and, two years on, cannot drive past the accident site, adding an extra 20 minutes to every journey from her home.
"I would give anything to be held again by my love," she said.
