More than 35 people have packed the Ballarat County Court room on Wednesday morning for the plea hearing of the driver who hit Ballarat cyclist Christian Ashby last Easter.
The driver, Rebekah Emily Stewart, has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious injury, failing to stop after an accident, drive while disqualified and drive an unregistered car.
The horrific near-fatal hit run that left 36-year-old father of two Christian Ashby fighting for his life sent shock waves through Ballarat’s tight-knit cycling community.
The court heard Stewart hit cyclist Christian Ashby head-on, hitting the brakes before she collided with him.
Stewart then drove from scene, leaving Ashby in middle of Wendouree Parade with life-threatening injuries.