A man has been jailed for more than two years after hitting a pregnant woman and killing her unborn baby girl during a street race in Auckland.
Detective Senior Sergeant Dean Batey said the events of May 19, 2023 were a “tragedy for everyone concerned”.
The 24-year-old man had taken part in illegal street racing that occurred in East Tamaki and struck a pregnant spectator.
She was seriously injured, and emergency surgical procedures had be carried out, Batey said.
“Her young baby sustained such catastrophic injuries that she barely even stood a chance at life and did not survive the day.”
The baby, who was named Sativa, would have celebrated her second birthday earlier this year.
Batey said police and the wider community would not tolerate “such blatant disregard” for those around reckless drivers.
“A lot of this behaviour ends up as merely a momentary rush of glory on social media or amongst peers. The reality is that the driving taking place on public roads is putting participants, spectators and innocent members of the public at real risk.
“I put this question to those taking part: ‘Is a life really worth it’?”
The man was sentenced in the Manukau District Court today to two years and four months imprisonment for manslaughter, dangerous driving, and driving while disqualified. He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months.