A man convicted of car theft will spend at least seven years in prison following a harrowing hit-and-run that resulted in one fatality and left another individual severely injured.

Kai Colin Matthew Fursey, aged 30, received an 11-year prison sentence after admitting guilt to the manslaughter of 30-year-old Ryan William Victor Grafton.

The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of May 28, 2024, when an intoxicated and unlicensed Fursey crashed into Grafton’s Uber, instantly claiming Grafton’s life.

Fursey’s family reacted with audible shock and tears as the court handed down a sentence that will keep him incarcerated until at least early 2033.

As Fursey was escorted away, a family member called out, “We love you, Kai,” demonstrating the emotional impact of the sentencing.

Grafton’s family maintained their composure in court as the sentence was read out in the Queensland Supreme Court.

Sentencing Fursey, Justice Martin Burns said his driving was so wanton that the loss of life of an entirely blameless member of the community was almost inevitable.

Fursey had his foot to the floor of a stolen Ford Mondeo as he tore through a red light in Brisbane’s southwest, hitting the Toyota Camry in which Grafton was travelling at a speed of 114.5km/h in a 70km/h zone.

Grafton was killed on impact. His friend Amelia Vindon, 26, who was also in the car, suffered critical internal injuries and needed multiple surgeries.

The Uber driver, Hussein Ali Mohamed, was knocked unconscious.

Fursey was uninjured. He fled from the scene, running past the stricken Camry occupants and past police officers attending to another matter a block away.

He did not hand himself in to police for another week.

“Such callous disregard for the occupants of that vehicle is difficult, if not impossible, to put into words,” Justice Burns said.

“No sentence the court can impose will ever seem even remotely severe enough to punish you for such abject grief and suffering.”

Justice Burns accepted evidence relating to Fursey’s dysfunctional and abusive upbringing, and took into account his remorse, saying he had “a level of insight” into the consequences of his behaviour.

But he also cited Fursey’s lengthy criminal history, saying his risk of reoffending was medium to high and nothing reduced his culpability for his actions.

The victim’s family left court without speaking to media. They were shielded by Kevin Lawler, an officer from the Salvation Army who knew Grafton.

Representing the family, he said Grafton had attended the Salvation Army church on the Gold Coast for 12 months before his death.

“Ryan was known for his kind and gentle heart,” Lawler said.

“He’d been on such a journey, and we’re just privileged to have been part of that journey. He had one of those special souls, and he was loved by the church.”

He said the family was satisfied that a significant sentence had been handed down, but that nothing would bring back their son.

Fursey was sentenced concurrently for a range of other offences, including dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm, receiving tainted property, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and possession of dangerous drugs.

He was marked for life as a serious violent offender.