A drug-affected man who killed a woman by driving on the wrong side of a West Australian highway and crashing head-on into her car has been convicted of murder.
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Shaun Southern steered onto the wrong side of the Bussell Highway in WA's South West region in February last year, killing 61-year-old Jennifer Pratt and seriously injuring her passenger Karen Williams.
The WA Supreme Court heard Southern had methylamphetamine and amphetamine in his system, and prosecutors said he had an intent to kill or cause a life-threatening injury when he sped towards several cars before finally striking Ms Pratt’s vehicle.
Both cars had been driving close to the 110 km/h speed limit before the collision.
Video captured by horrified witnesses showed Southern had been driving erratically and there were several near misses with other cars, as their drivers were forced to swerve out of his way.
Southern's defence counsel argued her client did not have an intention to kill.
But on Wednesday, Southern was convicted of murder and also found guilty of attempting to unlawfully kill Ms Williams.
Southern will face a sentencing hearing on August 2.
Australian Associated Press