Hayden John Pepe jailed for three years over high speed crash which killed Phillip Frith in 2018
A speeding, disqualified driver who crashed off a road at 120km/h, killing his friend, has been jailed. But the sentencing judge is hopeful that he can rehabilitate behind bars.
Police & Courts
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A teenager has been jailed for more than three years for the “utterly senseless” death of his friend in a high-speed crash.
Hayden John Pepe, 19, was disqualified from driving, speeding and had cannabis in his system when he crashed off the Nelson Rd in Para Hills at 10.30pm on December 19, 2018.
Minutes before the crash police officers in an unmarked police car witnessed the car “fishtailing” as it went around the corner.
The car activated its lights and attempted to stop the vehicle, but it sped away.
The chase was terminated by police but the car was found off the road about two minutes later.
The car was estimated to be travelling at around 120km/h when it left the road.
Witnesses to the crash said the car “vaulted” across a gully in Para Hills before crashing into trees.
Pepe’s passenger and friend Phillip Frith died at the scene.
Pepe suffered serious injuries which left him with long lasting memory, speech and eye issues.
He had to be cut out of the car’s twisted wreckage.
Pepe pleaded guilty to aggravated causing death by dangerous driving in July last year.
During sentencing submissions Pepe read an apology letter to the court where he said that dangerous driving does “irreversible damage” to people.
Judge Barry Beazley, during sentencing on Wednesday, said the crash was “utterly senseless” and could only be explained by Pepe’s immaturity.
Pepe has been in custody since he was arrested in January 2019.
He made no request for bail and made sure mediate admissions to the offending.
Judge Beazley said Pepe had matured while behind bars and that he held cautious optimism as to the teenagers chances at rehabilitation.
“You owe it to the victim and his family to make the most of your life,” he said.
Pepe was sentenced to three years and 12 days in prison with a non-parole period of two years, five months and three days.
