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A man who drove without a license and under the influence of alcohol has been sentenced to a maximum of 11 years in prison after he struck and killed a young woman while leaving a rave, subsequently dragging her beneath his vehicle.
The tragedy unfolded for 24-year-old Elise Hodder, who had just arrived at a rave in Kooyong, in Melbourne’s south-east, to join in celebrating her friend Emma Swords’ birthday when her life was tragically ended.
As Hodder and Swords made their way across the parking lot, a speeding gold sedan, driven by the intoxicated and unlicensed Connor Mathiasson, struck them shortly after 1 a.m. on October 13, 2024.
Mathiasson initially reversed into the group of friends before driving forward, trapping Hodder beneath the vehicle where she ultimately lost her life.
Emma Swords survived but sustained severe injuries, including two broken ankles, and has faced the dual challenge of relearning to walk while mourning the loss of her dear friend.
Mathiasson had a blood alcohol level of three to four times the legal limit, after sharing a 10-pack of Jack Daniels and coke while driving to the event and continuing to drink at the rave before getting behind the wheel.
The 24-year-old pleaded guilty to culpable driving causing Hodder’s death and negligently causing serious injury to Ms Swords.
He wore prison greys as he sat at the back of the court where he was sentenced this morning, surrounded by dozens ofHodder’s devastated friends and family.
Hodder’s mother Pauline sobbed from the front row of the court in Melbourne as circumstances of the deadly crash were read out.
County Court Judge Robyn Harper said “this was a catastrophic collision, entirely of your own doing” and labelled Mathiasson a “collision waiting to happen”.
“You were caught on way to the rave driving in excess of speed limit, unlicensed, driving while drinking,” the judge said.
“All of these factors demonstrate your contempt for the safety of other road users on the night in question.
“Ms Hodder has lost her life, Ms Swords’ future has been irrevocably damaged – all because you chose to drive negligently while significantly affected by alcohol.”
She jailed Mathiasson for a maximum of 11 years but he will be eligible for release on parole after serving seven years of that sentence.
His licence will be disqualified for nine years.