Drunk, drugged, disqualified driver Akol Agiu Akol jailed for three years for killing girlfriend Bor Mabil in high-speed crash

This promising student died because her boyfriend drove drunk, drugged and disqualified – but despite a maximum life sentence, he could be free from jail by the middle of next year.

Bor Mabil, right, with her Socceroo brother Awer Mabil, centre, and cousin Abiei Ajak during his time playing for Adelaide United in 2015. Picture: James Elsby.

• ‘I don’t deserve forgiveness’, killer driver tells grieving family
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The drunk, drugged and unlicensed driver who killed promising nursing student Bor Mabil in a high-speed crash could be free from jail by the middle of next year – despite his crime carrying a maximum life sentence.

On Wednesday, the District Court jailed Akol Agiu Akol for three years, one month and 25 days for causing his girlfriend’s death by dangerous driving.

Bor Mabil was just 19 when she was killed.

She had been studying nursing.

Judge Paul Slattery imposed a non-parole period of two years, one month and 25 days – backdated to January 26 last year, when the fatal crash occurred.

He later amended that minimum term to two years, six months and eight days, saying the original sentence had been a “calculation error”.

The collision was the second time Akol had driven on the wrong side of the road, and head-on into another car, in a four-month span.

In September 2018, he had smashed into another driver – causing that person’s car to catch on fire – while boasting a blood-alcohol level of 0.14.

In sentencing, Judge Slattery said the state’s courts had repeatedly declined to set a sentencing standard for the offence.

He said that meant each incident had to be punished based on its own unique circumstances.

Akol, 20, of Davoren Park, pleaded guilty to one aggravated count of causing Ms Mabil’s death by dangerous driving.

Ms Mabil – the sister of Socceroo and former Adelaide United star Awer Mabil – was one of three passengers in her white Audi sedan when it veered off the road at Andrews Farm in January 2019.

Friends and family mourn Bor’s death at the site of the crash. Photo: Emma Brasier

He was disqualified from driving, speeding on the wrong side of the road, had consumed MDMA and had a blood alcohol reading of 0.22 at the time.

Ms Mabil was not wearing her seatbelt and died at the scene.

In November, Akol gave a tearful apology in court – saying he did not deserve forgiveness – while Ms Mabil’s family spoke of their loss and ongoing grief.

On Wednesday, Judge Slattery said he accepted Akol had driven the Audi at Ms Mabil’s request.

The wreckage of Bor Mabil’s Audi – which was being driven by Akol Akol – after the crash. Picture: Brenton Edwards/AAP

He noted witness allegations that she and other passengers had urged him to drive faster after a second car, driven by a friend, had overtaken them – but said that was no excuse.

“You told a psychologist that you can be influenced by female friends in an attempt to impress them,” he said.

“Whatever may have been said by passengers in the car that night, you still chose to engage in a street race knowing you were disqualified and intoxicated.

“It’s quite remarkable that no other person was seriously injured.”

Judge Slattery said neither Akol’s “genuine, contrite” apology, nor his youth, warranted any leniency in the imposition of a non-parole period.

He disqualified Akol from driving for 13 years upon his release.

Ms Mabil’s family did not comment outside of court.