Christopher David McGrath, 26, hadn’t entered a plea following the crash at Gooramadda last January.

He had looked set to fight the charges.

But two hours into Thursday’s hearing in Wodonga – after listening to evidence from a crash reconstruction expert who has attended more than 1000 fatal smashes – McGrath had a change of heart and pleaded guilty. 

The former North Albury man killed 41-year-old Howlong resident Andrew Watkin on January 13.

Mr Watkin had been travelling in his Proton Jumbuck utility on Gooramadda Road, heading to work at Uncle Toby’s in Wahgunyah.

McGrath’s speeding oncoming Ford Falcon slammed head-on into his car about 4.40am, likely killing him instantly.

The court earlier heard McGrath may have hit speeds of up to 190km/h in the minutes leading up to the smash.

The Ford, which belonged to his girlfriend, hadn’t been travelling slower than 137km/h when it began to skid.

It had slid for 52 metres before hitting the Proton head-on. 

McGrath was tested in hospital nearly two hours after the crash and had a blood alcohol reading of 0.083.

Detective Sergeant Jenelle Mehegan of the Major Collision Investigation Unit told the court determining what had occurred in the Gooramadda crash was her “bread and butter”.

Defence lawyer Kevin Doyle had questioned the techniques used to calculate the speed of the Ford. 

Detective Sergeant Mehegan said there was no doubt it was doing at least 137km/h before heavy braking caused the wheels to lock up and skid. 

His friend Samuel Petrie was in the passenger seat. 

Mr Petrie was hospitalised with serious injuries, including a fractured ulna, collapsed lung, broken ankle, broken wrist and fractured patella. 

Images posted online show Mr Petrie covered in cuts, bandages and braces after the incident. 

The Ford had caught on fire in the collision. 

McGrath was the least injured of all involved, suffering a broken clavicle. 

He had been drinking at Mr Petrie’s mother’s home in Wahgunyah with a small group of friends in the lead up to the incident. 

Mr Petrie and McGrath ran out of cigarettes and rolling papers and went driving in search of more. 

Mr Petrie had checked the internet, which ruled out Corowa so they went to Rutherglen, but the shops were shut. 

Mr Petrie suggested they head home but McGrath offered to buy him cigarettes and food at the Barnawartha service station near the Logic centre, which he agreed to. 

The crash occurred as they headed towards the service station. 

Mr Watkin did not break or swerve before the crash. 

McGrath, who now lives in the outer suburbs of Melbourne, pleaded guilty to culpable driving causing death and negligent driving causing serious injury. 

The matter will head to the County Court in March for sentencing.