Moment of inattention that caused a young driver, 19, to miss a stop sign and kill a beloved grandfather in horrific smash

A 19-year-old man will spend two years behind bars after his carelessness on the road led to a horrific crash that killed a 69-year-old grandfather.

Riley Jack Kamin was 18 years old on January 20 this year when he drove his mother’s white Toyota Hilux from Shepparton to Kyabram with his friend in the front passenger seat.

The pair were talking and Kamin, distracted on the unlit rural road, did not notice the approaching intersection.

His car crashed into the driver’s Toyota of Alexander Eagle, causing the 69-year-old man’s car to roll over and come to rest on its side.

Mr Eagle, who was trapped in the car, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Kamin and his 18-year-old passenger managed to escape the crash site. He remained at the scene while his friend was airlifted to Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital (pictured) with multiple injuries.

Kamin and his partner, also 18, managed to escape the crash site.

His friend was airlifted to The Alfred Hospital with injuries including a collapsed lung, ruptured diaphragm, fractured left femur, broken arms, heart contusions and damage to the liver and spleen.

Kamin remained upset at the scene and told those present: “I didn’t even notice the intersection, I was just talking to my friend.”

“I hit the brakes, but it was too late.”

An investigation later revealed that Kamin had not been using drugs or alcohol and was driving at about 60 mph before missing a stop sign and slamming on the brakes.

His lawyer said it was a case of momentary inattention with horrific consequences – a reality borne out in court, where Mr Eagle’s family described their loss.

The 69-year-old was a healthy, active, beloved husband, father of three children and grandfather of four grandchildren, the Victorian District Court was told.

He was known as a man who could always fix something, and his wife said a recent storm that destroyed part of the roof of her Shepparton home “almost broke it” because her husband was not around to do the repairs.

The couple had been married for 48 years, and together for more than 50.

“We were to have many more enjoyable years together,” she told the court in a victim impact statement.

Kamin’s mother said her son, now 19, and the rest of their family will never forget that night.

She said Kamin – a celebrated engineering student, friend, local football captain and big brother – had gone from a “happy-go-lucky kid” to a withdrawn and defensive person.

The 19-year-old’s lawyers did not object to him being jailed for dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing serious injury.

Kamin pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing serious injury and was sentenced to two years in prison.

He pleaded guilty to both charges, showed genuine and sincere remorse and was “committed to completing his sentence without complaint”, Judge David Brooks said.

Kamin’s employer said he will still have a job when he gets out of prison.

His friend, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, may have suffered long-term injuries after the crash, but forgave him for it, as did his mother, who said Kamin became part of their family.

Judge Brooks sentenced Kamin to two years in prison, all of which he will serve in the juvenile justice system due to his age.