29 Jun 2022

Family of teen killed in Timaru crash says driver's punishment won't be enough

5:24 pm on 29 June 2022

The sister of one of the five teenage boys killed in a horror crash in Timaru says the driver's punishment is nothing compared to that of the friends and family of those that died.

Tyreese Fleming was sentenced in the Timaru District Court on Wednesday to five charges of dangerous driving causing death. Georgia Goodger (sister of Andrew) reads her impact statement 29 June 2022.

Jorja Goodger said Fleming's decisions that night had caused hurt beyond words. Photo: NZ Herald / George Heard

Tyreese Stuart Fleming, 20, was today sentenced in the Timaru High Court to two years and six months imprisonment over the 2021 crash.

In her victim impact statement to the court, the sister of Andrew Goodger, Jorja Goodger, said when she saw her 15-year-old brother's body she knew her life was going to be hell without him.

She told Fleming his decisions that night had caused hurt beyond words.

"You may think you have the shitty side of things, but believe me you don't. I have to wake up every single day knowing I'll never see my brother again, nor that big cheeky smile of his. Whatever your punishment is, just know that isn't even half of the punishment we get with the life long sentence of not having our loved ones back."

Jorja Goodger said Andrew had health challenges when he was young, and dreamed of becoming a paramedic so he could help others.

His mother, Andrea Goodger, said Andrew was born with a hole in his heart and had pulmonary atresia, so needed to undergo four operations over his life.

Tyreese Fleming was sentenced in the Timaru District Court on Wednesday to five charges of dangerous driving causing death. Andrea Goodger (Mum of Andrew) reads her impact statement 29 June 2022 New Zealand Herald Photograph by George Heard

Andrea Goodger (Mum of Andrew) reads her impact statement 29 June 2022. Photo: NZ Herald / George Heard

She said he was a fun boy who loved busking, surfing, skateboarding, skiing and magic tricks.

The reality of her son's death did not sink in until his funeral, she said.

"I have a strong Christian faith so I know one day I will have to find forgiveness, but I don't know when that will be."

Andrew's father, Richard Goodger, said it was sheer hell the night his son never came home, and since then his life was a hell-hole.

Tyreese Fleming was sentenced in the Timaru District Court on Wednesday to five charges of dangerous driving causing death. Richard Goodger (Dad of Andrew) reads his impact statement 29 June 2022 New Zealand Herald Photograph by George Heard

Richard Goodger Photo: NZ Herald / George Heard

He said he had no interest in celebrating Christmas, and would never celebrate Andrew's birthday again.

Unable to continue with reading his statement, his daughter took over for him.

She said her father had suffered emotionally and physically and had had multiple seizures from the stress of the loss.

His statement said his son was a perfect young lad in the prime of his life.

Tyreese Fleming was sentenced in the Timaru District Court on Wednesday to five charges of dangerous driving causing death. 29 June 2022.

Tyreese Fleming Photo: NZ Herald / George Heard

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs