Driver jailed over deaths of three passengers

Whiti Hepi

The driver of a car that careered off Hamilton's Cobham bridge into the Waikato River killing three girls has been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison.

Whiti Wairehu Dyne Hepi, 21, sat with his head bowed during this morning's sentencing by Justice Hansen.

In May he pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of the three girls.

On February 12 this year, following a night out drinking in Hamilton, Hepi offered Hayley Forbes, 15, Kristen Armstrong, 14 and Sandra Tungia, 16 a ride home.

Hepi's friend, Andrew Kemp, gave him the keys to drive his car and got in the passenger seat.

The girls, who had never met Hepi before, got into the car along with two other teenagers who got out half way through the journey.

The High Court at Hamilton heard Hepi had been drinking and smoking cannabis.

He drove erratically, speeding and drinking from a bottle of beer.

As he rounded the corner on to the Cobham bridge he lost control of the car which broke through the bridge barrier and plunged 20 metres into the Waikato River below.

Hepi and Kemp got out of the car and swam to opposite sides of the river.

Crown Prosecutor Jacinda Foster said Hayley Forbes was the only one to escape the crash and Hepi heard her cry for help from the river but showed "cruelty and callousness" in leaving her.

Hepi's lawyer, Brandt Shortland, said Hepi had panicked and run to a friend's home.

His family took him to police later that day.

Hepi had a restricted licence and he should not have been driving at that time of day.

"I ask whether any good can come of this tragedy," Justice Hansen said during sentencing. "... only if the lessons are learned, only if the message is heard and heeded.

"When you come out of prison you will still be a young man with your life ahead of you. It will help no one if you don't make the most of it." 

Justice Hansen gave Hepi credit for his guilty pleas and obvious remorse, sentencing him to seven and a half years in prison with a three and a half year non-parole period.

He was disqualified from driving for four years.

- HERALD STAFF