Two young men sentenced over tragic hit-and-run crash in Alice Springs that killed Shane Powell

A youth who fatally knocked disability support worker Shane Powell off his motorbike before speeding off could walk free from detention in a matter of months.

A YOUTH who drove a stolen vehicle through a red light and fatally knocked a disability support worker off his motorbike before speeding off could walk free from detention next December.

The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, along with his co-accused, 20-year-old Jacob Long, were sentenced on Wednesday at the NT Supreme Court for their part in the hit-and-run crash that killed 47-year-old Shane Powell last year.

Long and four others – three of whom were under the age of 17 at the time – collided with Powell while he was riding his motorbike home from work on the night of October 15, 2020 in Alice Springs.

The youth, who was 15 years old at the time of the crash, last week pleaded guilty to being behind the wheel when Powell was knocked several metres off his bike and not stopping to provide assistance.

He also pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a vehicle causing injury to a person and driving a vehicle causing harm or death.

Raelene and Caroline Powell said Shane would be remembered as a “happy-go-lucky” man. Picture: Lee Robinson

Long pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle in a dangerous manner while being pursued by police, recklessly endangering serious harm, and unlawful use of a motor vehicle causing injury to a person.

Both young men were sentenced to four-and-a-half years behind bars, suspended after 18 months with several conditions attached.

However, Long’s sentence was backdated to March 2021 and the youth’s to July 2021 due to time already served. No conviction will be recorded for the 16-year-old.

Justice Judith Kelly appeared choked up when addressing Powell’s family over the “tragic” incident.

“To lose a young man in such senseless circumstances … is the worst thing that can possibly happen to a parent,” she said.

Shane Powell was fatally struck in a hit-and-run while riding his motorbike home from work. Picture: Supplied.

In sentencing, Justice Kelly said the young men showed “callous disregard” in their offending.

“I have to consider the harm done to the victims, and in this case the harm done has been catastrophic,” she said, addressing the youth.

“You killed that man.

“Taking away another person’s life is the most serious thing you can do.”

Turning to Long, Justice Kelly said it was “just a matter of blind luck” he didn’t kill or seriously injure someone when he drove “very dangerously” and “criminally recklessly” through town for several hours following the deadly crash.

Justice Kelly took into account Long’s “significant substance abuse problems” since the age of 14 years old, including use of alcohol, marijuana, and sniffing petrol.

Speaking outside court after the sentencing, Powell’s mother Raelene said the outcome was “not too bad”. Ms Powell said her son would be remembered as a “happy-go-lucky” man. “I want (everyone) to remember him smiling or riding around and sitting outside the post office having his cup of coffee.”