Man who drove car into Bunbury harbour, leaving woman to die, granted bail

A Withers man has been released on bail, despite admitting to leaving a Bunbury mother to die in a submerged car he plunged into Casuarina Harbour.

Michelle Welhan, who was known to her friends as Shelley, was found dead in the submerged car after it crashed into the water and sank in the early hours of March 11.

Jeremy Daniel Silver, 44, pleaded guilty to one count each of dangerous driving resulting in death and failing to report involvement in an incident resulting in death to police on Monday.

Silver was charged by officers two days after a plea was issued for the man seen leaving the area on the morning of the deadly crash.

In Bunbury Magistrates Court on Monday, Silver’s lawyer Fiona Walsh requested a fast-track sentencing date for her client and pre-sentence and psychological reports.

Magistrate Brian Mahon responded that the earliest date available in the Bunbury District Court was October.

Ms Walsh also asked for Silver’s bail to be amended to remove reporting conditions in place of a surety.

Silver was released on a $5000 personal bail with similar surety.

He will be sentenced on October 2.