Driver Michael Sitarski texted friend the message 'I'm so drunk' before killing Jasmine Barker Michael Sitarski was under the influence of alcohol when he killed Jasmine Barker in a car accident in Berri in 2011. Photo: Gregg Higgs Source: News Limited A DRIVER texted a friend the message "I'm so drunk" before killing a young mother in an accident in the Riverland in 2011, a court has heard. Michael Sitarski, 22, of Woodville, appeared in the District Court today for sentencing submissions over the death of Jasmine Barker, caused by his dangerous driving. In June, Sitarski pleaded not guilty to one aggravated count of causing the death of Ms Barker - who had a daughter, Makayla, 6 - by dangerous driving. During his trial, prosecutors alleged he had been drinking before the fatal head-on crash near Berri in the early hours of November 26, 2011. They said Sitarski was not a regular drinker and had texted a friend the message "I'm so drunk" just hours before the crash. Sitarski, who is now in a wheelchair, pleaded guilty mid-trial to the lesser charge of one non-aggravated count of causing death by dangerous driving. Today, Sitarski's defence lawyer Sean Richter said his client was suffering an eye condition called keratoconus at the time of the crash, which distorted his vision, but was not diagnosed until a year later. Keratoconus causes the cornea to thin and bulge forward, affecting the way light hits the retina at the back of the eye. Symptoms, including distorted or blurred vision and glare and light sensitivity, begin slowly and can be hard to detect. But the notion was rejected by Judge Geraldine Davison who said alcohol had affected Sitarski's vision and was the contributing factor in the crash. "It's the driving at the time that was the critical feature," she said. Judge Davison questioned whether Sitarski was contrite about the incident. I'm not hearing remorse from your client. Is he remorseful?" she said. Prosecutor Kos Lesses said Sitarski had recorded a blood-alcohol level between 0.07 per cent and 0.08 per cent and had not eaten dinner that night. Mr Lesses said Sitarski was also fatigued having not slept for almost 24 hours. Judge Davison revoked Sitarski's bail and remanded him in custody to face sentencing next month. Outside court, Ms Barker's father David said Sitarski had shown no remorse for his actions. "Justice has started so now we just have to wait for sentencing to see if justice finishes itself in the right direction," he said. Mr Barker said his daughter had been a wonderful mother to Makayla. She lived for Jas and Adam and her sisters. She was a role model for all them and they all looked up to her," he said. Ms Barker's mother Lynette said each court appearance brought back bad memories. "You can't concentrate ... it affects work, it affects your family, your sleep, everything," she said. Hopefully (we have got) one more (court appearance) to go and then we can start putting it behind us and start getting on with our lives and living with Jasmine the way we want to live with Jasmine. Ms Barker's partner Adam Loxton said the matter had taken too long to be finalised. " (A sentence of) 15 to 20 years, that's what I would like to see but we know that's not going to happen," he said. Mr Loxton said Makayla had coped well despite her mother's death. "She talks about mum quite a bit ... it's pretty hard," he said.