Driver high on meth caused teen’s death

“I’ll call you back, my ride’s here,” were the last words a teenager said to her stepmother before hanging up the phone to catch the ride she had arranged with a sober driver on Christmas Eve.

But within five minutes, the promising young woman had her life taken from her in a devastating accident caused by her boyfriend’s father Duanne Towgood who driving too fast and high on methamphetamine.

This week Towgood, 45, was sentenced for causing death while impaired with a class A drug and dangerous driving causing the death of 19-year-old, Jacinda Sionelauaki.

At the Whanga¯rei District Court, the teen’s family members gave emotional impact statements about the devastation of losing their girl who had an infectious laugh.

“She was my best friend and so much more, she had the voice of an angel, a laugh so infectious it brought light to the darkest days. Her being gone has left a silence that deafens my soul. Rest remains elusive, overshadowed by haunting memories of her vibrant presence,” mother Danielle Thatcher said in court.

“We have lost the most loving, caring, dedicated daughter, she could have everyone laughing until their cheeks hurt, she was only just starting her life. His selfish reckless driving took our girl, and his desire to drive fast took her life. They had been responsible. Calling a sober driver, they put their trust in him,” a woman called Jo, was described in court as her second mother, said in her statement.

Judge Keith de Ridder did not accept the argument methamphetamine and cannabis present in his system was from 12 hours earlier, and said the fact he failed roadside showed he was too impaired to drive.

Judge de Ridder sentenced Towgood to two years and four months’ imprisonment and disqualified him from driving.