An Adelaide man who hit and killed a teenage girl with his Lamborghini three years ago has been found not guilty of death by dangerous driving.
Alexander Campbell had already admitted to driving without due care when he lost control of his Lamborghini Huracan at Glengowrie in June 2019.
But he pleaded not guilty to driving dangerously in the crash that killed 15-year-old Sophia Naismith and injured her friend as they walked along the footpath outside of a Chinese restaurant on Morphett Road.
District Court judge Paul Muscat, who presided over the trial without a jury, said it could not be proven beyond reasonable doubt that Campbell deliberately accelerated in a dangerous manner.
He said the prosecution's contention that Campbell's acceleration was "harsh" had not been proven.
"I am unable to form a conclusion whether the acceleration was harsh or something less, such as moderate (as was accepted by the expert witnesses to have been a possibility) in explaining the loss of traction of the tyres on the rear wheels of the Lamborghini, which was in turn why the defendant lost control," Judge Muscat said in his written reasons for the decision.
Campbell's lawyer, Craig Caldicott, had told the court his client was travelling at 53 kph at the time he lost control and the prosecution had not proved dangerous driving under the criminal law.
Prosecutor Kos Lesses said there had to have been "excessive throttle ramp" for the car to respond the way it did and that Campbell "put his foot down" moments before the fatal collision.
Campbell did not give evidence in his defence or call any witnesses.
Supercars and stunt driver Luke Youlden gave evidence as an expert witness, saying the car must have been in sports mode before Campbell lost control of the vehicle.
Campbell will be sentenced later for aggravated driving without due care.
Family 'devastated' by verdict
The family of Sophia Naismith erupted in tears when the verdict was read out.
Outside court, her father, Luke Naismith, said the verdict had "devastated our family and denied justice for our beautiful daughter".
He said it sent a message that you could drive a sports car and kill someone and "barely" be held accountable.
"Since [Sophia's] death, we've placed our faith in the legal system in the unwavering belief that justice would prevail," Mr Naismith said.
"Today, it has failed us and all South Australian families whose innocent children deserve to feel safe on our roads and footpaths."
He said the family would speak with the Director of Public Prosecutions about whether there were grounds to appeal the verdict.
Campbell's lawyer said the crash was "a terrible accident".
"He is incredibly sorry for what has happened," Mr Caldicott said.
