A 21-year-old man has been sentenced to prison after causing the death of his passenger in a high-speed crash involving a stolen car while he was out on parole.
Kyaharlem Hazard pleaded guilty in the Toowoomba District Court to charges of dangerously operating a vehicle causing death while excessively speeding, and unlawfully using a motor vehicle at night in company.
Crown prosecutor Hamish McIntyre told the court that Hazard was driving at speeds up to 150 kilometres per hour for a prolonged period on July 14, 2023, when he lost control and slammed into a tree on Hursley Road, Toowoomba.
Police had been pursuing the stolen vehicle at the time of the crash.
The collision resulted in the death of 18-year-old passenger Heidi Riding, who was thrown from the car and died at the scene. The court heard that she was not wearing a seatbelt.
A roadside memorial remains at the site in tribute to Ms Riding.
Mr McIntyre argued that Hazard’s actions were particularly reckless, especially given his prior convictions for similar offences. He noted that Hazard had been on parole for just six days at the time of the crash.
CCTV footage presented in court showed the vehicle travelling at speeds of up to 121km/h.
“This is very serious conduct,” Mr McIntyre said.
“Although he is a young man, he has a terrible criminal history, including multiple dangerous driving offences.
He poses a serious risk to the community.”
Defence Argues Remorse
Defence lawyer Scott Lynch said Hazard was deeply remorseful for his actions.
“He’s genuinely contrite. This has been life-changing for him,” Mr Lynch said.
He told the court that Hazard had been drug-free for six months and intended to remain so out of respect for Ms Riding’s family.
However, Judge Dennis Lynch KC said the remorse had come too late, noting Hazard’s immediate return to criminal behaviour after his release from prison.
“You were released just days before, on parole, and you went straight back to the same dangerous conduct,” Judge Lynch said.
“You’ve learned nothing from your previous incarceration. You were avoiding police and driving in a highly dangerous manner.
Still, I accept you are genuinely remorseful.”
Sentence Handed Down
Judge Lynch sentenced Hazard to seven years in prison. With 399 days already served in custody, he will be eligible for parole in November.
Hazard was also convicted of unlicensed driving, and his driver’s licence has been disqualified indefinitely.
