A hit-and-run victim says the incident was the worst thing that has ever happened to her, while a witness to the Wendouree crash believes the victim could have been killed.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Joseph Haebich was driving a stolen Holden Commodore, while unlicensed, when he smashed into another car on Dowling Street about 3pm on June 8, 2018.
The victim was turning right into the Minerdome car park when she was hit, causing her car to spin. She was not seriously injured.
But a Crown prosecutor told the Ballarat Magistrates Court on Wednesday the victim said it was the worst thing that had ever happened to her.
"One witness believed (the victim) could have been killed," the prosecutor said.
The crash occurred not long after police tried to stop Haebich speeding through a school zone on Gillies Street while his partner and three children were in the car.
Driving the stolen white car which had been painted black, the then-26-year-old entered a roadworks area and crossed onto the wrong side of the road, around a blind corner and almost collided with an oncoming vehicle.
After crashing into the car on Dowling Street, Haebich fled on foot through the Minerdome and continued along Grevillea Road before jumping a fence.
The Special Operations Group arrested him 12 days later at a Black Hill property.
Haebich pleaded guilty on Wednesday to 21 offences occurring from April 25 to June 19, including reckless conduct endangering serious injury, unlicensed driving, failing to stop on police request, failing to help after an accident and car theft.
Haebich admitted he assaulted a Special Operations Group member as he tried to arrest him at a Chisholm Street property on June 19, 12 days after he fled the Wendouree car accident.
In another incident between April 25 and 26, Haebich's fingerprints were located at a Ballarat North property where a television, fridge and Playstation was stolen.
The court was told the victim had been kidnapped by unknown persons for 24 hours when his property was stolen.
At the time of all of the offences, Haebich was on a 12-month community corrections order.
On Wednesday, Haebich - who has been in custody for 168 days - applied for his charges to be dealt with in the Magistrates Court rather than a higher court.
His lawyer Eleanor Miller said her client's offences could be dealt with in the lower court because the court presided over similar behaviour on a regular basis.
Ms Miller said Haebich was pleading guilty, was a young offender and entitled to a discount on his penalty.
The prosecution opposed the summary jurisdiction application, saying Haebich's previous jail sentences for similar offending had not deterred him.
They submitted he needed to be denounced in the County Court.
Magistrate Gregory Robinson said he considered Haebich as showing no signs of abating his criminality and refused the application.
"I agree it should be conducted in a court with greater ability to denounce than the Magistrates Court," Mr Robinson said.
Haebich's plea hearing is set to be held in the County Court at Ballarat in May.
Haebich, who has a long pony tail and was dressed in shorts, t-shirt and runners, was supported by his mother and a young female in court.
Have you signed up to The Courier's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.