27-year-old jailed after crash that caused serious harm to passengers

THREE women were thrown from the car of a drunk driver who caused them horrific harm including a leg amputation and a miscarriage, a court has heard

A 27-year-old has been jailed after a crash that caused serious harm to passengers

THREE women were thrown from the car of a drunk driver who caused them horrific harm including a leg amputation and a miscarriage, a court has heard.

Aiden Japijinpa Kelly, aged 27, was sentenced to jail after he pleaded guilty to three counts of dangerous driving that caused serious harm to his passengers while driving to Alice Springs.

Justice Peter Barr said a pregnant woman who had a miscarriage and an amputated leg as a result of the accident would have died if she didn’t have emergency surgery.

“She will be unable to walk again,” Justice Barr said.

In April last year, Kelly was drink driving at excessive speeds before he went off the road and lost control of the car, causing it to roll repeatedly.

Three women in the back of Kelly’s car weren’t wearing seatbelts and they were all thrown out of the car.

They all suffered serious spinal injuries and two were at risk of permanent disability.

Passing drivers called emergency services and the victims were rushed to hospital.

Kelly who was wearing a seatbelt escaped serious harm and made full admissions to police before being arrested.

“Your offending is made worse by the fact that none of your rear seat passengers had seatbelts fastened and so they were very vulnerable to serious injury,” Justice Barr said.

Kelly’s criminal history revealed a string of driving offences including drink driving with unrestrained children.

AMAZING OFFER: Subscribe to the NT News online for just $5 a month (min $5)

Defence lawyer Jalal Razi said one of the victims was Kelly’s partner and he believes the relationship will continue after he is released from jail.

“Mr Kelly can’t walk away and look away from the consequences of his conduct. He’ll have to bear the moral weight of the wrongs done in this relationship,” he said.

“The hope for the family will be that Mr Kelly can become a carer for her.”

Kelly was sentenced to three years in jail suspended after serving 21 months on various conditions including not drinking alcohol.

Justice Barr also disqualified Kelly from driving for five years. “If you drink alcohol and drive, you can expect to be sent straight back to prison under your suspended sentence,” he said.