Hayden Pepe pleads guilty to killing friend Phillip Frith in drugged, speeding crash after police pursuit
A teenager has admitted killing his friend in a car crash – and that he was speeding, drugged, trying to escape police and disqualified from driving at the time.
A drugged, speeding, disqualified driver has admitted killing his friend and passenger while attempting to evade a police pursuit.
In the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday, Hayden Pepe pleaded guilty to one aggravated count of causing death by dangerous driving.
Pepe, 19, of Salisbury East, was not due to face court until August – by calling his matter on to confess, he will earn a sentencing discount of between 30 per cent and 40 per cent.
The charge relates to a crash at Para Hills just after 10.30pm on December 19, 2018.
Previously, SA Police alleged Pepe was behind the wheel of a silver Ford sedan travelling at more than 100km/h down Nelson Rd, which has a 60km/h speed limit.
When an unmarked police car activated its lights and sirens and gave chase, the car accelerated away and they were forced to abandon the pursuit.
Police alleged that, less than two minutes later after they abandoned their pursuit, the car plunged down a gully and hit several trees.
Pepe’s passenger – Phillip Frith, 19, of Salisbury – died at the scene, while we was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with serious injuries.
He has been in custody since his first court appearance in January.
On Tuesday, the state’s chief magistrate, Judge Mary-Louise Hribal, remanded Pepe in custody to face the District Court in August.
**
SPECIAL SUBSCRIPTION OFFER
Just $1 a week for 12 weeks — plus discounts and +Rewards
Click here to find out more
**
