Ex-Channel 7 journo pleads guilty to killing friend in drunken crash

A former Channel 7 journalist went on a four-hour champagne bender before a high-speed crash that killed his friend.

A former Channel 7 journalist facing a lengthy jail term for killing a mate in a champagne-fuelled high-speed crash said his passenger had told him to “go fast”.

Details about Trent Evans’ deadly decision to drive after a four-hour bubbly bender were revealed as he pleaded guilty to culpable driving causing the death of Rex Willox in a virtual hearing in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years behind bars.

Former Channel 7 journalist Trent Evans. Picture: Instagram

Evans, 44, from Richmond, was driving Mr Willox’s Mercedes at 113km/h in a 60km/h zone of Barkly Ave, Burnley, when he lost control and slammed into a power pole on February 27 last year.

The impact felled the pole and forced the sedan to roll before landing back on its wheels.

Mr Willox, in the passenger seat, died at the scene.

A passer-by who spoke to Evans at the scene said he gave some inkling as to why he was speeding.

“He kept on saying that the passenger told him to go fast,” she told police.

“He said he had a couple (of drinks) but didn’t think he was over the limit.”

Evans had only two minutes earlier left Mr Willox’s Toorak apartment where the pair had polished off three bottles of champagne since he arrived about 10.16am.

A real estate agent who visited the apartment about 1pm to discuss it being sold reported Evans as appearing to be intoxicated and slurring his words.

It was unclear where the pair planned to go when they got in the car, but Evans chose to drive over Mr Willox because he thought he was the least intoxicated of them.

The television reporter turned DJ blew 0.13 per cent — more than twice the legal limit.

Later, at The Alfred hospital, he told police: “I was asked to be the driver today as the sober person, out of the two of us, well more sober.”

He added: “Someone has died in a crash and I’m the driver.”

Evans had worked as a news reporter for Channel 7 in Melbourne and regional Queensland. Picture: Instagram

Witnesses reported seeing Evans driving erratically and almost sideswiping other vehicles before the crash.

One motorist detailed how she saw the car flip and had to take evasive action.

“I had to plant my foot to get away from the Mercedes as it was coming straight for us,” she said.

On stopping, she said Evans wreaked of alcohol, but when she asked if he was over .05 he replied: “I don’t know”.

Before becoming known as “DJ Trentè” across Melbourne at nightclubs including Love Machine, Evans had worked as a news reporter for Channel 7 in Melbourne and regional Queensland.

His other claims to fame include performing alongside ’90s pop duo Bachelor Girl in 2019, and appearing as an extra in the Ride Like a Girl film, which told the story of Michelle Payne, the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup despite facing odds of a 100 to 1.

Evans, who remains on bail, will face a pre-sentencing hearing in the County Court on July 7.