The father of the schoolboy killed in a crash has made an emotional plea to the driver involved in his son's death.
On June 23, 18-year-old Regan Baxter was driving the Toyota Hilux that crashed at Rothesay Bay on the North Shore.
Several people were in the vehicle or on the tray when it was reportedly doing doughnuts on the beach before it rolled.
Seven people were injured - including 17-year-old Rangitoto College student Robbie Cederwall. He was taken to Auckland Hospital, where he died three days later.
Baxter fled the scene before returning. In July, he pleaded guilty to four charges of excess breath alcohol, dangerous driving causing death and injury, and failing to stop to ascertain injury.
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On Tuesday, Judge Jonathan Down sentenced Baxter to one year of home detention, 200 hours' community work and disqualified him from driving for two years, starting immediately.
During the sentencing, Robbie Cederwall's father, Tony Cederwall, wiped tears from his eyes as he turned to Baxter and said: "My sentence to you is that you live from now on in a higher standard - Robbie's standard."
He went on to say: "It is important the message is clear that they know it is not OK to put others at risk and drink drive, and it is not OK to leave the scene."
He described Robbie as a beautiful human being and his best friend. Mr Cederwall said Robbie's death was his worst nightmare and will haunt him forever.
He described Baxter's actions and the events of that night as nightmare waiting to happen.
Judge Down wiped tears away as he read a statement from Robbie Cederwall's mother as she asked the court to show leniency towards the man who had caused her son's death.
Judge Down said Baxter had made a stupid decision that had had serious and far-reaching consequences, but he had taken full responsibility and was extremely remorseful.
"It is tempting in a case like this [to] look at you and put all the blame on your shoulders and to ignore the reality of what happened on that night," he said.
"This will stay with you for the rest of your life. Nothing this court can do can bring Robbie back... home detention and community work is appropriate."
Regan Baxter's mother's heartbreak
The mother of Regan Baxter has provided a statement to Newshub, in which she spoke of the grief her son's actions had caused.
"We wish to extend our deepest sympathy to the Cederwall family and to all the families involved in this terrible tragedy," she says.
"We sincerely hope that young people in the wider community may think before they act and learn from our son's mistakes which has cost everyone involved.
"On that night many families were broken and there is no way to fix this. We are truly grateful for all the love and support extended to us from the family, friends and community."
Newshub.
