Killer driver jailed for at least seven years after hitting Ballarat teen

A KILLER driver who was drunk and speeding when he mowed down a Ballarat teenager had lost his licence twice before for driving under the influence.

Patrick Bell, 17, with his mother, Rovinnia Richardson.

A KILLER driver who was drunk and speeding when he mowed down a Ballarat teenager had a history of bad driving.

Nathan White, 36, had lost his licence twice for getting behind the wheel under the influence of either drugs or alcohol in the years before he struck and killed 17-year-old Patrick Bell as he crossed Chisholm St, Black Hill, on June 30, 2015.

The panel beater had even tried to get away with the culpable driving charge, pleading not guilty.

But his case went to trial where a jury last month found his negligent driving caused the death of Patrick.

Nathan White’s car smashed into a tree after the fatal crash. Picture: Ian Wilson

Patrick’s mother Rovinnia Richardson fought back tears as County Court judge James Montgomery sentenced her son’s killer to 10 years jail, with a non-parole period of seven years, on Tuesday.

The judge said if White was travelling the 60km/h speed limit, instead of 96km/h, and did not have a blood alcohol reading of .101 per cent, the outcome could have been different.

“You made a decision to drive knowing you’d had a substantial amount of alcohol to drink,” Judge Montgomery said.

“Although you took evasive action, it was not enough.”

Judge Montgomery said White’s criminal history “disturbingly” includes two convictions for driving affected by either alcohol or drugs.

“How could you have not of known about the effects of alcohol and speed and the possible consequences?” he told White.

In April 2009, White was fined for returning a blood alcohol reading of between 0.07 and 0.09 per cent while behind the wheel, and had his licence cancelled for six months.

Then in May 2013, in the Geelong Magistrates Court, he was convicted and fined $2000 for careless driving and failing a drug blood test within three hours of driving.

His licence was suspended for three months.

On the night of the fatal tragedy, White had been to two local pubs where he played pool and drank beer, before he visited a friend’s house where he drank more.

He had left his mate’s house just moments before he struck Patrick just after midnight.

White had swerved to miss Patrick, but the right hand corner of his car collided with him, before he mounted the kerb and struck a tree.

Patrick was just 17 when he was killed.

Patrick Bell played high-level roller derby.

Patrick’s brother and mother were on the scene within minutes.

In a heartfelt victim impact statement, his mother said how her life would never be the same.

“Our hearts, our home and everything about our life has changed,” Ms Richardson said.

“My son had much to live for. That was horribly stolen from him and his family.

“We have a gaping hole that can’t be filled.”

Patrick was a talented roller derby competitor whose friends said was always there when others needed him most.