A dangerous driver who killed an off-duty paramedic has fled interstate days before he was due to be sentenced over the death.
Mingen He, who is on bail, was expected to be sentenced in Melbourne on Thursday after pleading guilty to one count of dangerous driving causing death over a May 2022 crash.
He killed Pauline Smith, a paramedic and former police officer who was on her way home from night shift, after he veered into the wrong lane on the Western Highway at Great Western, in regional Victoria.
Mingen faced a pre-sentence hearing on November 1, when his sentence date was set down for Thursday morning.Â
Ms Smith's devastated family and friends, who attended the County Court for the sentence, were instead told He was on the run.
"It's just devastating," Judge Kellie Blair told the court.
"I'm sorry that you've travelled and sorry that you've been put out."
Mingen He failed to show up at court for sentencing, with a judge issuing a warrant for his arrest. (Mal Fairclough/AAP PHOTOS)
He's wife reported him missing on Monday and he has not been seen or heard from since Saturday, the court was told.
Prosecutor Emma Failla said police were investigating and it was believed He left Victoria and fled interstate.
"His whereabouts are unknown at present," she said.
She said He had surrendered his passport and was supposed to report to police three times a week, but had not done so this week.
Lawyer Amit Malik has not had contact with his client since his last plea hearing, and did not oppose a warrant being issued for his arrest.
"My instructors made efforts via phone call, WeChat, various other mechanisms to try and get hold of Mr He," he said.
"There's simply just been no contact since the last occasion we were before Your Honour."
Judge Blair issued a warrant for He's arrest and a $10,000 surety for bail will be forfeited due to his disappearance.