Young man behind the wheel of crashed car that took friend’s life to discover fate for negligent driving

A young man who has pleaded guilty to causing the road death of his friend by negligent driving will soon discover his fate.

• Youth faces court over 2019 road fatality at Lemont
• A man has died after he was thrown from a car in a single-vehicle crash

IT WAS the early hours of August 18 last year when two young men made a “fateful decision” to walk away from an invitation to set up their swags for the night at Lemont.

It was a decision that cost one of the young men his life.

Just 20 years old, the youth was declared dead at the scene after he was flung from the passenger seat of the ute the pair was travelling in.

Now, the survivor and driver of that horrific crash in the southern midlands is facing the prospect of home detention or even jail.

Luke John Foster, 21, has pleaded guilty to causing death by negligent driving, drink driving and failing to comply with his drivers license conditions.

He was due to be sentenced in the Hobart Magistrates Court on Monday, but the hearing was delayed while the contents of a mental health report were considered.

A defence lawyer told the court that Mr Foster and his friend travelled to a friend’s house at Stonehouse Rd about 3am on the morning in the question.

The lawyer said the host wasn’t thrilled to receive them because the pair had arrived late, let themselves in, and spilt beer on his bed.

The host offered the pair to set up their swags in the car port for the evening, but had to leave before his parents returned home about 6.30am.

“Both men made the fateful decision to walk away from the invitation,” the lawyer said.

It was previously reported that a 20-year-old Pawtella man died after the vehicle he was travelling in rolled on Stonehouse Rd about 4.30am.

Police at the time claimed Mr Foster lost control of a white 2008 Ford Ranger utility while trying to negotiate a right-hand curve.

They said the vehicle rotated and rolled, with the front-seat passenger thrown out of the car and declared dead at the scene.

A report by a clinical psychologist claimed Mr Foster now suffered an adjustment disorder, anxiety and a depressed mood.

Magistrate Reg Marron adjourned the sentencing hearing until Tuesday.

Luke John Foster leaving the Hobart Magistrates Court on Monday.

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