Hit-run driver Jason Ruscoe sentenced to 16 years behind bars

The partner of a Carrum Downs traffic worker killed on the job says it is “heartbreaking” the hoon responsible showed no remorse for his actions.

The partner of a traffic worker killed on the job by a reckless driver who did not stop to assist said it was “heartbreaking” that the hoon showed no remorse for his actions.

Proudly wearing a badge with the name of her late partner, Tania Boyce confronted Timmy Rakei’s killer for the final time at the Victorian County Court on Thursday.

Tears flowed from Ms Boyce as Mr Rakei’s killer Jason Ruscoe, 31, was handed a 16 year and three month jail sentence after he sped through a Carrum Downs roadworks zone at up to 100km/h on November 9, 2021, killing the beloved father before fleeing the scene.

Ms Boyce turned to stare directly at Ruscoe, dressed in a grey jumper and black shorts at the back of the courtroom, as the final sentence was delivered.

While Ruscoe – who was a disqualified driver at the time of the crash – pleaded guilty to several charges including culpable driving causing death, the court heard he showed no remorse for his actions, which Ms Boyce said was difficult to hear.

Ben Rakei with his father, hit-run victim Timmy Rakei.

“That’s really heartbreaking (that he’s shown no remorse),” she told reporters outside court.

“He doesn’t get to experience the loss we’ve had or the heartbreak that we have and that we still all go through.

“Timmy Rakei is missed every day and loved by so many people.”

Ms Boyce said she was “thankful” to the first responders and those who have supported the family since Mr Rakei’s death.

Among Mr Rakei’s supporters in court was his former colleague Shaun Kilmartin who broke his leg in the horrific incident.

The court heard Ruscoe had been handed a community corrections order for dangerous driving offences less than two weeks before he killed Mr Rakei and that he had spent 10 of the last 11 years behind bars.

Police at the scene of the horrific crash. Picture: Jason Edwards

Judge Robyn Louise Harper said a “tragedy of this magnitude was only a matter of time” given Ruscoe’s “horrific” driving record.

“It was cowardly, callous (and) shameful conduct that was difficult to comprehend,” Judge Harper said.

“I must send a strong message to those in the community that such conduct is unacceptable.

“I must try where previous sentences have failed to stop you from acting this way.

“Your ignored the warnings … your conduct was grave and your moral culpability is very high”.

Tania Boyce, widow of hit-run victim Timmy Rakei, who was killed by Jason Ruscoe while working as a traffic controller in November 2021, is comforted by the surviving victim Shaun Kilmartin, after a plea hearing at the County Court of Victoria in February. PICTURE: NCA Newswire / Nicki Connolly

Judge Harper described Ruscoe’s prospects of rehabilitation as “poor” and that he had not shown “absolutely nothing before (the court) that would consider remorse”.

After crushing Mr Rakei between his car and parked work ute, Ruscoe fled the scene on foot and was picked up by getaway driver Ashley Luke Powell – who was sentenced to three years and four months behind bars earlier this year.

The pair burned their clothes at a nearby park and set out on the run before they were arrested after two days.

Ruscoe was seen driving erratically along McCormicks Rd in the lead up to the crash and even collided with another vehicle minutes before he killed Mr Rakei.

Ruscoe will be eligible for parole after 10 years and six months.

He has spent 644 days in pre-sentencing custody.