A 23-year-old man who hit and killed two pedestrians in Sydney last year while under the influence of alcohol and various drugs has been sentenced to four years’ jail.
Jarad Michael Smith had a blood alcohol level of 0.201, and was also found to be under the effects of cocaine and MDMA, when his car mounted a pavement in Rozelle in December last year.
Catherine Pracy, 47, died at the scene, while Gary Kelly, 49, died later in hospital.
Smith, a carpenter, was returning from a work Christmas party where he admitted to consuming beer, vodka shots, a quantity of cocaine, and a drink that he believed was spiked with ice, but which reportedly contained MDMA.
After hitting the two pedestrians, Smith exited his ute to survey the scene, before fleeing on foot, and being pursued by a bystander, who found him huddled behind a row of pot plants in a back yard, saying “I’m sorry, I fucked up.”
In handing down the sentence, Judge Ian McClintock was scathing about Smith’s actions, and those at his work Christmas party who allowed him to drive after prolonged drinking.
McClintock said:
“It must have been known to his companions that he was incapable of driving a motor vehicle, but no attempt was made to stop him from doing so. Alcohol was available well into the morning and available to the offender when it shouldn’t have been.”
Smith pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated driving occasioning death, and one of failing to stop and assist. The judge noted that Smith seemed “remorseful” and took this into account in his sentencing.
He added that
“The community needs to be told that when you’ve driven drunk there will be no escaping years and years of jail. That message is particularly relevant at this time of year. Two lives have been lost in utterly unnecessary and catastrophic circumstances. The tragedy is all the more poignant because it could have been avoided.”
Louise Miller, sister of Catherine Pracy, spoke to media outside the court, where she said: “Please do not get in a car and drink and drive.”
via Fairfax
