Montana Xavier: Kimberley woman, 20, admits killing pedestrian on Jetty Road, Derby while intoxicated

A 20-year-old Kimberley woman has admitted killing a pedestrian while driving intoxicated after her manslaughter charge was substituted for a lesser offence. Montana Xavier was driving a red Holden Barina hatchback along Jetty Road in Derby on December 6 when she collided with a 45-year-old female pedestrian who suffered critical injuries and died at the scene. Xavier was charged two days later with driver failed to stop and ensure assistance after incident occasioning death but that was upgraded to manslaughter in April. She pleaded guilty to dangerous driving occasioning death under the influence of alcohol and drugs in the District Court earlier this month. Then on Wednesday, the manslaughter charge - which would have been before the Supreme Court - was formally dropped in Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court. State prosecutor David Lima said it had been decided that the manslaughter charge was “the best way” to proceed with the case. Xavier, who appeared via videolink from Broome Courthouse, had her bail renewed and she will face the District Court on November 26 for a sentence mention.