Driver drunk when toddler killed

Jacob Bangoang and his wife left war-torn Sudan, walking barefoot for five days and through crocodile infested waters in their quest for a better life.

They found refuge in Australia but their dream was shattered last December when their six-year-old son Bangoang Tut died after being hit by a drunk, unlicensed driver as he played in the front yard of their home.

The Victorian County Court was told that alcoholic Gary Edward Ryan, 26, was travelling up to 80km/h before the crash that killed Bangoang Tut and endangered the lives of Bangoang Tut's then pregnant mother Yomding Deng and his cousin and friend.

His friends, who guessed he had had up to 18 beers, hid his keys to stop him driving.

But Ryan recovered them, determined to drive, prosecutor Ray Elston SC said.

Once in the car, he did burnouts and fishtails. He told police he may have had half a stubbie either in his hand or between his legs.

He told police he lost control and hit a fence before crashing into Bangoang Tut, who was playing in the front yard of his Morwell home in Victoria's southeast.

Bangoang Tut was critically injured and died a short time later in hospital.

Ryan recorded a blood alcohol content of .109, twice the legal limit, after the incident.

Jacob Bangoang said in his victim statement that he and his wife had left their country as refugees for a safe place for their son Bangoang Tut to grow up.

"We risked our lives to travel day and night. After what we had been through we thought our lives here would be so much better and different," he said.

"Now it turns out more devastating and disastrous to us than ever before."

He said his other children now feared being killed by a car.

Father of two Ryan sobbed as the court heard of his remorse.

A letter of apology he wrote to his victim's family was read aloud.

"I would like you to know if I could give my life to bring Bangoang Tut back I would," he wrote.

Judge Liz Gaynor said Ryan had acted like a lunatic but she accepted he was sorry.

Defence barrister Shivani Pillai said Ryan had a violent upbringing, was bullied at school and had a longstanding alcohol problem.

She said he began drinking heavily to treat his depression from age 16, consuming up to 16 beers in a session.

Once he reached 19, he would drink to the point of blackout.

Ryan, of Morwell, pleaded guilty to culpable driving causing death and three counts of reckless conduct endangering death.

He will be sentenced on October 27.

Source http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/driver-drunk-when-toddler-killed-20101012-16hn5.html