Family and friends of Nick Darling face his killer Michael Henley in the Supreme Court

A killer driver has sobbed in court as the family of the father-to-be he drove off the road said his hands are stained with the blood of his former mate.

A killer driver who drove a young man off the road as part of a disintegrating friendship will always have the blood of his former mate on his hands, the victim’s grieving partner has said.

Nick Darling died when his ute rolled off the road on July 20, 2021 on Flaxmill Rd in Morphett Vale.

Michael Henley, 24, was initially charged with murder over the incident but pleaded guilty to manslaughter and leaving the scene of the crime.

The court heard had been driving behind the ute and ramming it before speeding off after the crash and dumping his car.

It’s also previously heard the chase occured after “an accumulation of grievances” and anger over sex, women and vandalism.

On Tuesday, family and friends of Mr Darling read victim impact statements in the Supreme Court, remembering the young man who “could light up a whole room”.

Henley sobbed in the dock with his head down throughout the statements.

Mr Darling had only recently discovered he was to be a father before he died in the crash.

Ruby Dayman, Mr Darling’s partner, gave birth to their child after Mr Darling died.

Nick Darling was killed in the hit-run crash at Morphett Vale. Picture: Facebook

“July 20 was the day I lost the love of my life, the day my daughter lost half of herself,” she said.

Michael Henley pleaded guilty to manslaughter over the appalling crash. Photo: SA Police

“The baby I promised would have a father had that torn away.”

Tracey Darling, Mr Darling’s mother, said the birth of her granddaughter should have been a happy day, but she found herself weeping for her lost son.

Ms Darling said Henley’s actions the night of the crash were “those of a coward”.

“Two years ago we said goodbye and all I am left with are photographs and ashes,” she told Henley.

“It is like being punched in the stomach. I hope I can find forgiveness, not for (Henley) but for me, today is not that day.”

Ms Dayman said Henley had been there when she had met Mr Darling.

“You were the person who introduced me to Nick and the one who took him away,” she said.

“You used to be the one to care for me and now you have left me with the greatest wound of all. Nick’s blood stains your hands.”

Brian Darling, Mr Darling’s father, said his son made friends easily and would always stand up for a mate.

Wild footage of the chase shows a man hanging outside Henley’s car as he pursued the car Mr Darling was inside. Picture: Supreme Court

“My son was a better person in his short life than I in all my years,” he said.

He said his son and Ms Dayman had a “glow about them”.

“Ruby found in Nick her prince charming but for them no happy ending,” he said. “Such a waste, gone too soon.”

Mr Darling’s father labelled Henley a “little man” who had the “look of a betrayer” and called on the court to impose a maximum sentence.

“I was there for his birth, the first seconds of his life, I was denied the last opportunity to kiss him and say goodbye,” he said.

Mr Darling’s friend Michaella Scown said she wished she could give him one last hug.

“I want to tell him how grateful I am for having him in my life, even for a short period of time,” she said.

Justice Sandi McDonald heard Mr Darling wanted to be an organ donor, but was denied that because of the severity of his injuries.

The Supreme Court has previously heard Henley pursued driver Lewis Bennett and Mr Darling over bridges, down walking tracks, through reserves and across war memorials.

It heard his speed was so excessive that his Ford sedan threw “sparks” as it went over bumps, and that he “took run-ups” to ram into Mr Bennett’s ute, killing Mr Darling.

Henley will appear in court again next month for further sentencing submissions.