A FATHER who crashed the family car while under the influence of cannabis, killing his daughter, has pleaded guilty in Orange District Court.
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Mark Francis Pinnaza was to stand trial yesterday over the death of his 15-year-old daughter Phoebe, who died during emergency surgery at Orange hospital after sustaining critical injuries in the crash.
Pinnaza also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm over injuries sustained by his eldest daughter Maddison. She was 17 at the time.
Maddison sustained a fractured spine and internal injuries in the crash.
She was initially treated at Orange hospital before being flown to Sydney for further treatment.
Pinnaza was taken to Orange hospital and treated for minor injuries.
The crash occurred 25 kilometres from Orange on Burrendong Way, near Mullion Creek, on June 3, 2012.
Police say Pinnaza lost control of the family’s Holden Statesman, crashing it into a culvert before hitting a tree, trapping all three occupants.
The deceased teenager was riding in the back seat of the vehicle and her sister was in the front passenger seat.
Pinnaza was committed for trial in the Orange Local Court last year, charged with dangerous driving occasioning death, dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
Pinnaza will be sentenced at the next sitting of the District Court in Dubbo.