A driver who caused the death of a cyclist in West Perth last year may have deliberately caused another crash the day before she was due to undergo a psychiatric assessment, the District Court has heard.

Joanne Leigh Lawrence, 41, from Bullsbrook, has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving occasioning death, after she struck 70-year-old retired Professor Paola Ferroni on Kings Park Road in November 2014.

The court heard there was evidence Lawrence had sent and received text messages moments before the incident, in which Ms Ferroni was killed.

Lawrence was due to be sentenced today, but Judge Richard Keen adjourned the matter because a psychiatric report had not been prepared.

Defence lawyer Gary Massey told the court Lawrence crashed into a tree two weeks ago, on November 11, a day before she was due to attend a psychiatric assessment, as well as a victim mediation session.

Lawrence spent the next six days at Royal Perth Hospital with leg and foot injuries.

State prosecutor Bradley Hollingsworth argued it was hard to believe Lawrence had not caused the crash deliberately.

He said there was no evidence of braking or that the car had slid on gravel, as Mr Massey had suggested.

The court heard Lawrence had mental health problems and had suffered panic attacks.

Judge Keen said he could not go ahead with the sentencing without a psychiatric report and adjourned it until January 29.

He disqualified Lawrence from driving, with the exception of taking her children to day care and school, and going to her medical appointments.