Anthony Yates
An 18-year-old was behind the wheel of a stolen Jeep when he collided with another vehicle, killing the driver. He cried in court as the judge sentenced him to years behind bars.
Videos by Rare
What happened: According to a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), the teen, who cannot be named for legal reasons, crashed the stolen vehicle into a car driven by 28-year-old William Taylor on July 2, 2024. The outlet explains that Taylor was heading to soccer practice at the time.
- Per ABC, the teen fled the scene after the crash. Taylor’s vehicle reportedly smashed into a brick fence and a tree after being hit by the Jeep. The teen allegedly got on a train and walked home after the incident. Officers found him at his residence the following night.
The sentencing: Judge Justin Lewis sentenced the 18-year-old to seven years in prison. His mother loudly cried as Lewis gave her sentence, while her son started sobbing.
The Judge Detailed What Happened During The Night Of The Crash
Details of the crime: Per the Brisbane Times, the judge noted the teen had never owned a driver’s license. Lewis said the 18-year-old took control of the vehicle near Glen Waverley station. He then picked up five passengers between the ages of 15 and 19.
The teen then sped in and out of traffic despite his friend’s requests to slow down. He also used his phone to track the police airwing. The judge revealed that the stolen Jeep was traveling at 129km/h in a 60km/h zone before it hit Taylor’s Toyota. Lewis said a stranger sat with the victim, reassuring him before he died.
- The Brisbane Times reports that the teens deleted chats and searched for news about the incident. The judge reportedly noted that the 18-year-old searched “What is the punishment for a minor who commits involuntary manslaughter?” online.
Why it matters: Per ABC, the court also heard that the teen had an IQ of 86 and was under the influence of MDMA at the time of the crash. The judge sentenced him for culpable driving causing death, theft, reckless conduct endangering life, failing to render assistance, and unlicensed driving. The Brisbane Times points out that the teen pleaded guilty, and the sentence would have otherwise been nine years. He will be eligible for parole in four and a half years.
