New Zealand man Timmy Rakei’s family relieved after Melbourne killer driver jailed for 16 years

Jason Ruscoe has been sentenced after he struck and killed 44-year-old father Timmy Rakei at a Melbourne road works site.

The partner of a traffic controller who a speeding driver killed is relieved his 16-year jail term will stop him from hurting someone else.

Jason Ruscoe, 31, had been driving at 100km/h in a 40km/h roadworks zone when he struck and killed Rakei, from Taupō, on the morning of November 9, 2021.

Rakei was putting cones down at the Carrum Downs site in Melbourne’s southeast when Ruscoe’s Holden Commodore hurtled towards him.

The 44-year-old father was crushed between a stationary ute and the Holden before he was flung onto the road.

His co-worker Shaun Kilmartin was also seriously injured.

Ruscoe remained in his damaged car for minutes after the crash and he looked over at his victims before fleeing the scene on foot.

He was then picked up by his friend Ashley Luke Powell in a getaway car and later burned his clothes to destroy the evidence.

County Court Judge Robyn Harper described Ruscoe’s actions as “cowardly and callous”, noting he completely disregarded human life.

“It’s shameful conduct that is difficult to comprehend,” she said on Thursday in her sentencing remarks.

Timmy Rakei died in a hit-run crash in Carrum Downs. Photo / Supplied

In the 30 minutes before the fatal crash, Ruscoe was seen driving erratically and even collided with another vehicle but didn’t stop.

His licence was disqualified at the time and he had only been released from custody 10 days prior on a community corrections order.

Judge Harper said Ruscoe’s driving record was “horrific” and noted he had only been out of jail for 52 weeks of the past 11 years.

“A tragedy like this was only a matter of time,” she said.

Ruscoe had a history of drug use but he fled the scene before he could be tested for alcohol and illicit substances, Judge Harper said.

She found his moral culpability was very high and he had shown no remorse.

“The consequences of your offending are far-reaching,” Judge Harper said.

“I must, and I do, denounce your conduct.”

Ruscoe was sentenced to 16 years and three months in jail, with a non-parole period of 10 years and six months.

His licence was cancelled and he was disqualified from driving for eight years.

Rakei’s partner Tania Boyte said she was happy with the sentence because it meant Ruscoe wouldn’t be able to hurt anyone else.

“(Ruscoe) doesn’t get to experience the loss that we’ve had, the heartbreak that we have, that we still go through,” she told reporters outside court.

“Timmy Rakei is missed every day. He’s loved by so many people and, like I said, it’s heartbreaking.”

Ruscoe’s getaway driver, Ashley Luke Powell, was last year jailed for 20 months for his role in the incident.