A senior journalist who almost died in a fiery crash in Adelaide has come face to face with the drugged and speeding driver who nearly killed him, with his son telling the offender he is a “bad man” who should stay in jail.
Ben Hyde from the Advertiser was leaving work in October 2021 when he was hit by Luigi Gligora on West Terrace in Adelaide’s CBD, leaving him with a traumatic brain injury.
Gligora had cannabis in his system and was travelling at 170km/h — 110km/h over the speed limit.
He pleaded guilty in December to an aggravated count of causing serious harm by dangerous driving.
“You did everything you could to kill me that night,” Hyde told Gligora while reading his victim impact statement in court today.
“You maimed me and left me in a burning car to die.”
Twelve other victim impact statements were read, including one from Hyde’s eldest son, Oliver.
“I hope you stay in jail for a really long time … you are a bad man, Luigi,” the seven-year-old told the court.
Gligora remained silent in the dock as the statements were read aloud, but later apologised in court, saying he should have pleaded guilty from the start.
He will remain on bail until he is sentenced.
