Jayson Kyle Ramsay jailed for almost four years over crash in the Riverland while disqualified, high on drugs

A disqualified driver who killed his friend in a crash while high on drugs has received a hefty jail term. See the victim’s family react to the sentence outside court.

A drug-addicted, disqualified driver who was speeding through the backroads of the Riverland to avoid police in the minutes before a crash has been jailed for almost four years.

Jayson Kyle Ramsay, now 21, pleaded guilty to aggravated causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving over the crash on May 19, 2020.

Ramsay’s best friend Adrian Hobinchet was killed in the crash while Ramsay’s stepbrother was seriously injured.

Following the sentencing Mr Hobinchet’s sister Katie Cook said they believed the lengthy sentence was justice served.

“At no time did Jayson intend to kill his best mate but drugs were a factor in the accident,” she said.

“Had Jayson not been under the influence of drugs there is a real possibility the crash would never have happened.

“As the family of yet another addition to the road toll we beg you to please think before getting behind the wheel while under the influence.”

Ramsay also pleaded guilty to possessing an electric scooter suspected of being stolen and breaching his bail by going on the run earlier this year.

During sentencing in the District Court on Wednesday, Judge Ian Press said Ramsay had not slept for at least 24 hours before the crash.

“On May 18, 2020 you and your two friends drove from Berri to Adelaide,” he said.

“Before driving back you smoked two points of methamphetamine. Your friend Adrian drove from Adelaide to Blanchetown and after that you drove.”

Ramsay had two court ordered driving disqualifications at the time of the crash.

In the early hours of May 19, 2020, Ramsay, sleep-deprived and drug-affected, left the road and crashed into a concrete drain.

“Immediately prior to the collision your passenger looked over at you and described you as looking out of it,” Judge Press said.

“He (the passenger) hit you two or three times to get you to come to but it was too late.

“You were about halfway through the sweeping curve but you continued in a straight line and left the road.”

An expert report on the crash said Ramsay had been driving up 150km/h shortly before the crash but had slowed down at the insistence of one of his passengers.

The report stated the car had been travelling between 86 and 90km/h at the time of the crash itself.

Kathryn Evans and Katie Cook, the mother and sister of Adrian Hobinchet speak outside court following the sentencing of Jayson Ramsay. Picture: Mitch Mott

During sentencing submissions Adrian’s mother and sister told the court how their lives had been destroyed by the loss of the 20-year-old.

Ramsay continued using drugs after the crash and has been in custody since March where he has sought professional help for his drug use.

“It is particularly concerning that even after you caused the death of your best friend and injured your stepbrother and spent sometime in custody that it did not motivate you to abstain from drug use,” Judge Press said.

“Before I impose a sentence I want to stress one last matter.

“It is important that (Ramsay) and Adrian’s family know that this sentence does not purport to and could never represent the worth of Adrian’s life or the pain his family now feels.

“No sentence will ever be able to do that.”

Ramsay was sentenced to three years, 11 months and five days in prison with a non-parole period of three years and six days.