A stoned and drunk P-plate driver who drove at estimated speeds of up to 160 kilometres per hour in the lead-up to crash that killed one of his passengers and left another with life-long injuries has been jailed.
After a night of heavy drinking and smoking cannabis, Timothy Werps, 18, sped down McCrae Street in Bendigo, Victoria at 3:11am on September 28, 2020.
Werps lost control of the Holden Commodore, crashing into a power pole, two fences and a stationary car in a driveway, killing his rear passenger and friend, Goornong's Jye Eiffert, 16.
A second passenger, Benjamin Hart, 17, was flown to a Melbourne Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
He had seven operations and spent months in rehabilitation.
He lives with ongoing cognitive and pelvic issues.
It was revealed that earlier in the night the trio drove out to Flora Hill to pick up drugs with a fourth boy in the car.
On their return to an Epsom home, Werps had reached speeds of 180-200kph on some back roads.
When the group decided to head out again to get something to eat the fourth teen refused to get in the car over concerns about Werps's speeding.
He told Mr Eiffert and Mr Hart not to get in the vehicle.
"Boys your age tend to think that they're bulletproof," County Court Judge John Smallwood said.
In handing down his verdict, Judge Smallwood said the 11 victim impacts statements were almost as many as he had seen in such a situation.
"Jye was a very much loved and missed young man, clearly a vibrant person who was good at sport," he said.
"He is sorely missed and the distress for family and friends is ongoing."
'Very significant sentence'
Werps was sentenced to nine years and three months jail, with 68 days already served in custody.
Judge Smallwood noted some concern about sending Werps to an adult prison, because psychiatric reports had pointed to his immaturity and tendency to act recklessly to impress others.
"[It's a] very big decision to be sending a 19-year-old into adult custody for this long period of time," he said.
But Judge Smallwood said Werps's prospects of rehabilitation were good.
He had no prior convictions and was well-behaved on bail, working as a cleaner, completing courses and being an active member of his church group.
It was also revealed the teen has a girlfriend who has told him she will remain loyal to him.
Werps will be eligible for parole in five years and nine months.
