‘Our journey only had a beginning’: Hayden Kennedy’s family speak of heartbreak

The family of an 18-year-old killed in a crash last year is still in shock and grieving. On Wednesday the man behind the wheel the night he died entered a plea.

The family of an 18 year old who died after a crash in October last year have told a court of the pain they face, more than one year on from his passing, as the man charged over his death pleaded guilty.

Derwent Valley man, Thomas Rowlands, 26, pleaded guilty in the Hobart Supreme Court on Wednesday to dangerous driving causing death after a crash which resulted in the death of Hayden Kennedy.

The court heard on October 31, 2021 Mr Rowlands and Mr Kennedy were at a small birthday gathering with friends at Ouse and had taken a friend’s new Polaris buggy for a spin at 1am.

Mr Rowlands had consumed alcohol before getting behind the wheel of the unregistered vehicle.

The buggy crashed and Mr Kennedy was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police investigations indicated the buggy was travelling at 96km\h in an 80 zone.

At 1:20am, Mr Rolands called an ambulance, but it was two hours before it arrived because he did not know where he was.

He called other guests for help and the two were located 800 metres away from the shack.

Friends performed CPR on Mr Kennedy until the ambulance arrived, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

An autopsy later confirmed Mr Kennedy had died of a head injury.

Hayden Kennedy has been remembered as a driven young man who loved fishing, shooting and playing footy.

In her victim impact statement, Mr Kennedy’s mother Peta Kennedy said she was no longer the same person.

“I can’t remember what it’s like not to grieve,” she said.

“I’ve not only lost my precious son Hayden, I’ve lost my husband Mark, he’s never been the same.

“We were a loving family, now we’re just husband and wife.”

Mark Kennedy said he would never get to stand by his son’s side on his wedding day or see him become a father.

“All these milestones have been ripped from me,” he said.

“My only son is gone … I never got to say goodbye.

“A parent should never have to feel the pain of outliving their child.”

Isobel Hodge, Mr Kennedy’s partner of two and a half years, said she remembered the indescribable pain of learning he had died.

“I can never talk to him, never hold him, never hear him laugh,” her mother read on her behalf.

“We were about to embark together on the adventures of adulthood … we were planning a tremendous life together.

“We didn’t get a middle and end, our journey only had a beginning.”

Hayden Kennedy with his girlfriend Isobel Hodge. Photo: Facebook

Ms Hodge said she now looked at the world differently.

“I must get up each day and find the energy to hide my pain,” she said.

“Each day dawns and I think Hayden should be here.

“I loved him so much … he was a part of me.”

Defence counsel Damien Geason said Mr Rowlands was horrified he caused the death of a friend.

“Mr Rowlands’ primary source of distress has been about the impact and hardship on others,” Mr Geason said.

He said Mr Rowlands suffered from post traumatic stress disorder, had nightmares and had been harassed, abused, and had rocks thrown at his house.

Mr Rowlands was remanded in custody and will be sentenced next Tuesday.