The family of a 15-year-old who was fatally struck by a Lamborghini in Adelaide's south-west say they are "sickened and appalled" at the suspended jail sentence handed to the driver.
Alexander Campbell had a jail term of four months and 27 days suspended over a crash that killed 15-year-old Sophia Naismith three years ago.
Sophia and a friend were walking along the footpath on Morphett Road at Glengowrie in June 2019, when they were struck by Campbell’s Lamborghini.
Campbell pleaded guilty to aggravated driving without due care, and was found not guilty of the more serious charge of causing death by dangerous driving.
Campbell's seven month sentence was reduced to four months and 27 days because of his early guilty plea.
Campbell has been ordered to complete 200 hours of community service, and has also had his driver's licence suspended for a further 12 months.
Sophia's mother, Pia Vogrin, said the family was "sickened and appalled at the sentence handed down over the death of our beloved daughter".
"We cannot accept Sophia's loss and move on with our lives when the courts have failed to impose a penalty which reflects the gravity of the crime," she said.
"Our family, along with all South Australians, will never understand how you can kill and injure an innocent pedestrian and not be jailed."
Sophia's father, Luke Naismith, said the case showed a need for legal reform.
"This case has tragically highlighted a broken system that is stacked in the favour of the accused and not the victims and the families left behind to pick up the pieces," he said.
"That's why the state government has agreed to our request to close a legal loophole and protect the community from irresponsible drivers.
"We remain hopeful laws will be introduced to parliament soon.
"The reforms will not bring Sophia back but hopefully they will make drivers more accountable for their behaviour and reduce the trauma for families."
Judge Paul Muscat said he accepted Campbell's contrition and remorse while acknowledging the "immeasurable" value of Sophia's life.
"Your careless driving has taken Sophia Naismith's life," he said.
"It has shattered and destroyed the lives of her family and loved ones.
"Life will never be the same for anybody — how could it be after what happened."
'Not simply a case of momentary inattention'
Judge Muscat said it was careless that Campbell drove in the high-powered supercar in “sport” mode, and with electronic stability control deactivated.
He said Campbell had been told days before the crash that the rear tyres needed replacing.
The tyres were also not designed to be used in the cold temperatures in Adelaide that night.
The judge said despite the feelings of the community over the case, he ultimately had to issue a sentence according to the law.
“You have been vilified for your driving that night by the members of the public," Judge Muscat said.
"All of that attention has affected you in many ways.
"You do have empathy for the victim, their family and friends."
But Judge Muscat said Campbell's moral culpability was high.
"This was not simply a case of momentary inattention, but a combination of compounding factors relating to the high-powered Lamborghini."
The court heard Campbell had not driven since the crash and his licence has not been renewed.
Dozens of Sophia’s relatives and friends attended Adelaide’s District Court wearing red ribbons in her memory.
Outside court, Campbell's lawyer Craig Caldicott said his client was "just devastated" and "absolutely distraught".
"This is a tragic accident that has occurred," he said.
"He's paying for it and the family's paying for it.
"There's no winners in any of this."
