Hayden Waterhouse sentenced to four years jail after running into and killing Jamerson Ross

A driver who mowed down a tradie who had been out celebrating his 23rd birthday on the Mornington Peninsula was initially charged with murder before pleading guilty to a lesser charge.

Hayden Waterhouse arriving at the Supreme Court on Thursday. Picture: Aaron Francis

A killer driver who mowed down a young tradie out celebrating his birthday could walk free from jail within 18 months.

Jamerson Ross, 23, was struck and killed by a white SUV driven by Hayden Waterhouse, 36, after a night out with mates at the Westernport Hotel in Hastings on the Mornington Peninsula.

The deadly incident occurred during a confrontation between the two groups, with Waterhouse running Mr Ross over after the marine electrician and his friends surrounded his car.

Jamerson Ross, 23, was struck by a car and killed while out celebrating his birthday in Hastings on October 7, 2022.

Initially charged with murder, Waterhouse showed little emotion on Thursday as he was jailed for four years with a non-parole period of three after pleading guilty to a lesser charge of dangerous driving causing death.

In his sentencing remarks, Supreme Court justice John Champion accepted Waterhouse did not deliberately set out to hit a person and may have thought he had mounted a curb.

“I accept that you were confronted by a number of young men, some of whom were likely intoxicated and loud and subjectively you felt under threat or pressure,” he said.

But the judge said Waterhouse knew the group was in his path and he was “recklessly indifferent to their presence”.

“A message needs to be sent to drivers that motor vehicles are to be operated safely,” he said.

The court heard Ms Ross was celebrating his 23rd birthday with friends when they left the Westernport Hotel just before 11pm on October 8, 2022.

They began walking back home, with some of the young men taking shopping trolleys and walking on the road.

Waterhouse’s partner was driving home from work, when one of the young men ran towards her yelling and punched her rear view mirror.

Jamerson Ross’s family said he had passion for life and was deeply connected to those around him.

She told Waterhouse about the incident, before he jumped in his car saying he was “going to get some smokes”.

Waterhouse found the group on Coolstore Road, where he confronted them demanding to know: “Who hit my missus’ car?”

Words were exchanged before several of the group surrounded Waterhouse’s car.

One man kicked the vehicle before Waterhouse “put his foot down” and sped off.

Mr Ross was run over, suffering serious head injuries.

Paramedics were called but he died at the scene.

Hours later, Waterhouse returned and approached police.

“I drove down here earlier, I was involved,” he told them.

Collision experts put his speed at between 30 to 40km/h at the time of collision.

In victim impact statements, family members described Mr Ross as someone who had a passion for life and was deeply connected to those around him.

Loved ones of both Mr Ross and Waterhouse were seated in court for the nearly hour-long sentencing hearing.

With time served, Waterhouse will be eligible for parole in October next year.

His licence was also disqualified for two years.