Grim message on drink and drugs

Three other cases in the Waikato, where young people had been killed in accidents involving alcohol, drugs and dangerous driving were identified by Justice Rodney Hansen at yesterday's sentencing.

Nicholas Smith, 17, was killed when the car he was in with eight other teenagers, driven by Karl Tairi, 18, who was high on the stimulant drug P, crashed into a power pole in Hamilton in September 2003.

Harry Laurie, 15, was killed when a car driven by John Alistair Douglas, 17, who had been drinking, crashed in Waihi on January 2 last year.

Jade Lee was killed in August 2003 when a car driven by Letia Soti, 23, who had offered her and friends a lift from Hamilton to Huntly, crashed just out of Ngaruawahia. Soti had drunk half a bottle of straight bourbon.

"I ask whether any good can come of this tragedy?" said Justice Hansen.

"Only if lessons are learned, if the message is heard and heeded. Only if our young people who binge drink and drive hear the message."