A woman has been jailed for at least 15 months for killing a teenager and badly injuring another after she crashed her car while driving drunk and at twice the speed limit.
Tahlia Skye Love, 21, pleaded guilty in Brisbane District Court on Thursday to one count of aggravated dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death or grievous bodily harm.
The court heard that Love, then aged 18, had been attending a party in the southwestern Brisbane suburb of Inala on June 26, 2020.
Attendees saw Love consuming pre-mixed vodka drinks and stumble at one point.
The crown prosecutor said Love started driving erratically after leaving the party with Leroy Sullivan, 19, and Douglas McDonald, 17, in her car.
The prosecutor said Love's passengers repeatedly offered to take over as driver but she refused.
"Douglas asked again, saying 'Just let me drive, you're going to hurt one of us'," the prosecutor said.
Love had been driving for 11km when she failed to slow down for a corner, swerved and hit a power pole while travelling at 120km/h in a 60 zone.
Douglas was thrown into the windscreen, causing lacerations to his face and embedding 50 fragments of glass in his eye area.
Emergency services were unable to revive Leroy after he was cut from the wreckage.
Love had minor injuries and returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.09.
The prosecutor said Love should be jailed for seven years with a minimum of 28 months.
"This was horrible and selfish behaviour that extends to families having to deal with trauma for life," the prosecutor said.
Love's barrister, Joseph Briggs, said his client was very remorseful.
"Her transgression warrants significant time in custody and she understands she deserves it," Mr Briggs said.
Mr Briggs said Love was the youngest person he could find who had been convicted of her offence.
"A person who is youthful and has rehabilitation prospects should receive more leniency," Mr Briggs said.
Mr Briggs said Love's offending was shocking and utter stupidity but it has also been influenced by her difficult upbringing, and alcohol and cannabis abuse from age 12.
Judge Dean Morzone told Love she had caused unending grief to Leroy's family and Douglas to suffer survivor's guilt.
"Those you affected were in the prime of their youth," Judge Morzone.
He said Love had a job and a young family to return to after being released.
A visibly tearful Love was sentenced to six years' imprisonment with a 15-month minimum.
Speaking outside court, Leroy's aunty Samantha Bond said the sentence was too lenient for someone who took their loved one away forever.
"She is not going to even do half her sentence and that's not fair for being so reckless, for somebody dying," Ms Bond said.
Ms Bond said the family would especially feel their loss on Sunday as they gathered to watch the Broncos play in the NRL grand final.
"It's a big day for the family and ... Leroy would have definitely been there watching his favourite team with this father," Ms Bond said.
