Matthew Sean Emerson: ‘Remorseful’ boyfriend who killed 22yo in horror crash avoids jail

A ‘remorseful’ man who admitted to accidentally killing his young girlfriend in a crash three years ago has avoided jail time.

A “remorseful” Victorian man who killed his girlfriend in a horror crash about two years ago has avoided jail time.

Paige Prentice, 22, died on December 26 in 2019, four days after she suffered critical injuries in a crash at Long Beach, near Kingston SE, in South Australia.

Her boyfriend Matthew Sean Emerson, 30, was charged and pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

The couple, who had been in a relationship for about four months, were camping along the Coorong when they drove along the beach at about 2pm on December 22, 2019.

The court was told that Emerson swerved and “fishtailed” along the coast for at least 300m at 70km/h.

The wheels on one side of the vehicle dug into the sand when Emerson lost control of the vehicle.

Matthew Emerson pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. Picture: Supplied

He killed his girlfriend Paige Prentice in the crash at Kingston SE in December 2019. Picture: Supplied

The Adelaide District Court on Wednesday heard that Emerson told police he “was not paying attention” at the time because he and Ms Prentice were singing and laughing.

As the car rolled a number of times, Ms Prentice was thrown from the vehicle. The pair were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

Her boyfriend tried to perform CPR at the scene, but Ms Prentice sustained significant injuries that caused her death two days later in the Flinders Medical Centre.

Emerson escaped with only bruises and cuts.

During Emerson’s sentencing, Judge Ian Press said the defendant was only thinking about the fun he and his girlfriend we’re having together and had since struggled knowing he caused her death.

The court heard that Emerson told a psychologist that he wished he could trade places with Ms Prentice and that he hated himself ever since the day of the incident.

Paige Prentice was 22 years old when she died. Picture: Supplied

Judge Press said he was unable to adequately summarise the impact statements given by Ms Prentice’s family and would do an injustice to depths of their pain in trying to describe it.

“They spoke eloquently of their anguish, their heartbreak, their loss and most, significantly, their love and their memories of her,” he said.

“For her family it is understandably unfathomable that all that she had to offer will not now be realised.”

In his previous appearance, Emerson read an apology to the court and said he was sorry for the suffering he caused Ms Prentice’s family.

During that same hearing, the victim’s identical twin sister Madison told the District Court that she felt “utterly broken” having lost her sister and best friend.

“When you took her life, you took my essence too. You are selfish and you are reckless and that is all I have to say to you,” Madison said.

Madison Prentice said when Emerson killed her twin sister he ‘took my essence too’. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

The court was told on Wednesday that Emerson had a long history of mental health issues stemming from his childhood.

In the past he had developed a dependency on alcohol, cannabis and methamphetamine as a coping mechanism.

The judge said Emerson’s personal circumstances and mental health deteriorated after the incident.

He suffered a breakdown after Ms Prentice’s funeral and was admitted to the psychiatric ward of a local hospital before being transferred to a different facility for further mental health treatment.

He was also homeless for about three months and slept in shelters or in public toilets.

“You did not commit suicide during that period only because of a promise you would make to Ms Prentice’s father,” the judge said.

“It would appear her father’s understanding at that time had a significant impact on you in about April.”

The court was told the victim and her boyfriend were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash where she was thrown from the vehicle. Picture: Supplied

After describing Emerson’s actions as “highly irresponsible”, Judge Press applied the full 20 per cent discount that the defendant was eligible for because of his guilty plea.

He was handed a three year and one month jail sentence with a non-parole period of two years and six months.

But that sentence was suspended to a $100 three-year good behaviour bond.

According to the judge, a psychologist found Emerson’s anxiety and depressive symptoms would be exacerbated if jailed, and the lack of ongoing treatment in the prison system was also a concern.

“It is important that you and Ms Prentice’s family know that the length of this sentence does not purport to, and could never represent the worth of, Ms Prentice’s life and its potential or pain her family now feels.

“No sentence could do that.”

Emerson’s jail sentence was suspended for a three-year good behaviour bond. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

The judge noted that Emerson did not exceed the speed limit, nor was driving in a built-up, populated area with buildings or other vehicles and was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

But Judge Press said the man was not a “young, immature driver” and ought to have given more thought to his driving.

“I accept this was not a consequence you intended or even foresaw,” he said.

“Your decision to drive in that way was deliberate but it was not accompanied by many of the factors which would have made the offence a more serious example of its time.

“Your remorse is genuine and your subsequent breakdown is consistent with their remorse.”

Under his bond conditions, Emerson cannot leave South Australia unless he has written consent from correctional services.

The judge said the killer driver had expressed a willingness to relocate to Mount Gambier, where he is employed, and participate in available help services.

He must also complete 60 hours of community service within 12 months, not possess a firearm, report to corrections officers and will have his licence disqualified for 10 years.