Barney Wakes-Miller road crash death: Family anger at driver’s 12-month licence ban

The family of Barney Wakes-Miller (pictured) are angry at the “pathetic” driving ban handed to a northern beaches teen responsible for his death in a late night crash.

A 12-month driving ban for a teenage drink-driver convicted over the Saturday night crash death of his schoolmate has been described as “a public disgrace” by the victim’s angered family.

The teen, who had his P plates for just six weeks, had a number of beers, lost control of his speeding Commodore — with six people on board — outside a house party at Elanora Heights in July 2020.

It hit a stone fence at 88km/h.

The wreckage of the car that Barney Wakes-Miller, 17, of Oxford Falls was fatally injured in when it crashed at Elanora Heights in July, 2020. Picture: Supplied

Year 11 student Barney Wakes-Miller, 17, of Oxford Falls, died at the scene.

The Surry Hills Children’s Court had previously heard that the driver, who pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous driving causing death – drive under influence, blew 0.142 two hours after the crash outside the party in Caladenia Cl.

On December 17 last year Magistrate Sue Duncombe sentenced the driver, now 19, to a 21-month Good Behaviour Bond after rejecting a plea from the Office of the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions for him to serve time in a juvenile jail.

The Children's Court at Surry Hills where a 12-month licence ban was ordered for the driver involved in the crash that killed Barney Wakes-Miller: Picture: News Corp

The DPP has appealed the leniency of that sentence. It will be heard in the District Court on March 14.

On Monday in the Children’s Court, Ms Duncombe confirmed that the driver, who cannot be named for legal reasons, would be disqualified from holding a licence for 12 months.

When the driver get’s his provisional licence back, he must fit an alcohol interlock device to his car for three years. The driver must breathe into the device, and if alcohol is detected, the car will not start.

The driver’s licence has been suspended since the date of the fatal crash.

Bella and Duncan Wakes-Miller, are angered at the length of the licence disqualification handed down by the Children’s Court. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Barney’s father, Duncan Wakes-Miller, was critical of the length of the court-ordered driving ban.

“I think this is a public disgrace,” Mr Wakes-Miller said.

“No one knows how pathetic the ban is.

“I want people to know.”