Fatal van smash: Victim's mum 'destroyed' (update) | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

Teenager Jesse Howe's mother says she has been destroyed and will never be able to forgive the young man charged with causing her son's death in a crash last year.

"I have been destroyed, I feel hopeless. There will never be healing or closure. I don't know how I've managed to get through this time without my boy," Justine Howe said in a statement read out at the sentencing hearing of Aaron Tawhara Gourlay, who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death last July 17.

Gourlay, who appeared in the Rotorua District Court, had also pleaded guilty to seven charges of dangerous driving causing injury in relation to the crash which claimed 17-year-old Howe's life 22 days later.

Gourlay pleaded guilty to another charge of dangerous driving causing injury, failing to report an accident, driving while his licence was revoked and breach of bail in relation to an incident on Vaughan Rd on March 19 this year.

Judge Phillip Cooper sentenced him to six months' home detention and 200 hours' community work, banned him from driving for two years and ordered him to pay reparation of $8000 - $5000 to Jesse's family for emotional harm and the remainder to the owners of the vehicle he drove in the other incident.

Victim impact statements written by Jesse's parents were read out in court by Rotorua Crown prosecutor Amanda Gordon yesterday. There were about 40 people present at the sentencing, including Jesse's family, friends and some of those who were injured when the van full of teenagers returning to Rotorua from a party in Taupo crashed. Many of those in court cried as the statements were read out.

In her statement Mrs Howe said she was shattered by her son's death.

The night of the crash was one of the only nights she did not say "night mate, have fun, I love you".

She said she kept having flashbacks of what she saw in hospital and would have given the rest of her life to care for her son, no matter what his disabilities were - as long he was around.

"My boy died as I was hugging him, holding him close ... I'm so very proud of my son. I love you with all my heart Jesse."

Mrs Howe spoke of the lack of remorse shown by Gourlay and comments made by him about the crash on Facebook.

"There will never be forgiveness, it's too late," she stated..

Jesse's father Sean Salter said he could also not forgive Gourlay who, if he was truly remorseful, would at least have said sorry.

Mr Salter talked about Facebook comments made by Gourlay including that he "would do it all again for another $20,000".

He said his son was supposed to have started a joinery apprenticeship and one of his goals had been to build his own home.

Judge Cooper said Gourlay and a group of friends had travelled to Taupo and Reporoa on July 17 last year. Gourlay was the designated driver and had remained sober.

He had told his friends he wanted to stay in Reporoa as he was tired but elected to drive because some of his friends needed to get back to Rotorua.

He had consumed an energy drink and a caffeine pill to combat fatigue and drove when he should not have. None of the passengers were wearing a seatbelt.

The van crashed after crossing the centreline. Gourlay had been driving under the speed limit and the road was wet.

Judge Cooper said the van was overloaded and everyone inside was thrown from the van. Jesse, a front seat passenger, suffered traumatic injuries and died 22 days later. Gourlay was seriously injured and was unconscious for 10 days after the crash.

There was also a fault in the vehicle with a front tyre fitted incorrectly, fastened with only three of the five required wheel nuts.

Judge Cooper said there had been reference to text messages but it could not be proven that Gourlay was sending text messages at the time of the crash.

Judge Cooper described Gourlay's behaviour after the van crash as "insensitive in the extreme" and said he hoped that wasn't Gourlay's normal attitude.

Gourlay's lawyer, Max Simpkins, said some of his client's behaviour after the crash may well have been misinterpreted.

Gourlay apologised through Mr Simpkins, who said the teenager had been to the grave site where Jesse was buried and had cried.

Gourlay had not wasted his life since the crash, counsel told the court. He had achieved a top award in graphic design and was going to university next year to study architecture.

Outside court Jesse's grandfather Dave Howe told The Daily Post he was upset about the sentence.

"He got off ... He should be behind bars."