Judge Says Man High on Drugs Played 'Russian Roulette' in Fatal Crash
L'essentiel
- Jordan Kenyon, 30, high on GHB and on parole, caused a fatal crash in Stonehaven, Geelong, killing 12-year-old Mia Rossiter and seriously injuring her family.
- A Victorian judge likened his actions to "Russian roulette," noting Kenyon's extensive dangerous driving record.
- Kenyon pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.
Résumé généré par IA
Pourquoi c'est important
Jordan Kenyon, with a history of dangerous driving offenses including a 2019 jail term for a high-speed chase, was on parole and wearing an ankle monitor when he caused a fatal crash while under the influence of GHB.
A Victorian judge says a man high on drugs played "Russian roulette" when he caused a crash that killed a 12-year-old girl.
Jordan Kenyon, 30, had a lengthy criminal driving record and was on parole when he smashed into a car with a family-of-four inside.
The crash occurred on January 3, 2024 at Stonehaven, on the outskirts of Geelong.
Crash victim Mia Rossiter died at the scene, while her mother, father and younger sister suffered serious injuries.
Kenyon has pleaded guilty to numerous driving offences including culpable driving causing death, a crime that carries a maximum 20-year sentence.
During a pre-sentence hearing on Thursday, County Court judge Michael Tinney said Kenyon's decision to get behind the wheel after consuming the drug GHB was like playing "Russian roulette".
"It was a matter of time before he killed someone and the Rossiters had the unlucky ticket. It could have been any one of us."
In 2019, Kenyon was jailed for six years over a wild driving spree around Geelong, during which he drove at up to 170kmh in a stolen Mercedes-Benz.
He was released on parole mid-2023 and was wearing an ankle monitoring bracelet.
Judge Tinney said questions would be asked as to why he wasn't sent back to prison before the fatal crash, given his dangerous behaviour weeks beforehand.
Footage from Kenyon's phone, played to the court, showed him steering a car with his legs on the wrong side of the road on December 14, 2023,
He held his phone in one hand and a can of Jack Daniel's (bourbon whiskey) in another.
"I am the best f***ing designated drunk driver in the world!" he said, before taking a swig of his drink.
"Oncoming car, oh yes I love it … Shall we kill these c***s?
The court heard on January 3, 2024, Kenyon took GHB and was doing burnouts in the Geelong area.
With his brother in the passenger seat, he later reached speeds of about 150kmh, before losing control on the Hamilton Highway in Stonehaven.
He crashed into a small Holden Barina, carrying the Rossiter family, who were travelling home after dinner.
Mia Rossiter was killed and her mother Danica, father Paul and 7-year-old sister suffered severe injuries that required ongoing treatment.
Kenyon's brother was also critically injured.
Mia's father Paul, who still requires walking sticks and a moon-boot, paid tribute to his daughter on Thursday.
"Mia was a beautiful, kind caring girl who was looking forward to becoming a teenager," Mr Rossiter said in a victim impact statement.
"Mia was bright, loyal and loved her animals."
Mr Rossiter then turned to the killer driver, who looked up from the court dock to meet his gaze.
"You and your stupid actions have taken an amazing young human from this earth," he said.
"I hope hell's a shit place and you rot there when you arrive."
Through tears, Ms Rossiter said the loss of her daughter had taken away happiness in daily life.
Defence barrister Luke Barker said his client hadn't learned from his previous jail term and other convictions for driving offences.
"It's a stupid, foolhardy, cavalier, nonsensical decision to have driven that night," he said.
Kenyon, who has been in custody since January 2024, will be sentenced on July 29.
À surveiller
Perspective IA — des possibilités, pas des certitudes
Jordan Kenyon will be sentenced for culpable driving causing death and other offenses.
Très probable · En quelques mois
Questions ouvertes
- Why was Kenyon not returned to prison despite dangerous behavior weeks before the fatal crash?