Man pleads guilty to drunk-driving death of mother of four in Victoria
Lance O'Brien admitted guilt to culpable driving causing death after his vehicle collided with Vilia Sutherland’s car, killing her in October 2025.
On 2 October 2025, Vilia Sutherland was returning home from grocery shopping when a Toyota Corolla driven by 31-year-old Lance O'Brien veered into her lane on Barmah-Shepparton Road near Kaarimba, causing a fatal head-on collision. Sutherland died instantly and one of the family’s border collies was later euthanised after sustaining critical injuries. Blood tests revealed O'Brien’s BAC was at least 1.43 and he had methamphetamine, amphetamine and nordiazepam in his system, with speed estimates between 115 km/h and 122 km/h. He was on a P2 licence with a zero-BAC condition and was breaching bail terms that prohibited driving.
In Shepparton County Court he pleaded guilty to culpable driving causing death and breaching bail, while family members described the profound loss. Judge Carolene Gwynn adjourned the matter for a further plea hearing in Melbourne County Court later this month.
Why it matters
The case highlights the severe consequences of drunk driving and the legal accountability for breaching bail conditions.
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