A Victoria father has been jailed after running over and killing a close friend while so drunk he had no memory of the accident, a court has been told.
Shaun Bartlett, 43, returned to the County Court on Friday and was jailed for six-and-a-half years for causing the death of Justin Willman, 52, in January last year.
Bartlett began to cry as Judge Sandra Davis described the “nightmare” Willman’s death had on her two sons and her family at large.
The court was told Bartlett was drinking with Mr Willman and a friend at a makeshift campsite on his Stonehaven property on January 28 when he jumped in his pickup truck planning to return to the house to pick up pizza at around 9.30pm.
The third man later said he heard Bartlett “joking about his inability to find reverse,” Judge Davis said.
He ran over Mr Willman, killing him instantly, before crashing into a fence post and ending up in a ditch 300 metres away.
Emergency services found Bartlett passed out on the ground next to his vehicle, clutching his phone and keys.
Judge Davis said Bartlett was found to have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.262 and stated he had “no recollection” of the accident but was very distraught and remorseful.
Justin Willman, 52 (pictured), was hit and killed by his friend, Shaun Bartlett, 43, last year.
Shaun Bartlett, 43 (pictured right), returned to the County Court on Friday and was jailed for six-and-a-half years for causing the death of Justin Willman, 52, in January last year.
Mr Willman’s sister said Bartlett would have to live the rest of his life knowing he killed a friend.
She said she did remember drinking “half a bar.”
The court was told the two men had been friends for two decades and Bartlett had first pleaded guilty to culpable driving causing death in September of the same year.
Bartlett was found to be an alcoholic after his arrest and had not touched alcohol since.
The father of two was described as heartbroken and eternally haunted by the loss by friends and family who wrote letters to the court.
“This is a tragic case that shows how so many people’s lives can be shattered in an instant,” Judge Davis said.
Bartlett will be eligible for parole in May 2028 after serving four years of his sentence.
Outside court, Willman’s sister, Yvonne Willman, said her family remained “in disbelief” at his death.
“We look forward to hearing from him every day and we still find it hard to believe that he is really gone,” she said.
“Hopefully this sets a precedent for those who want to drink and drive… because our lives are not the same and they will never be again.”
Bartlett was found passed out next to his SUV.
Outside court, Willman’s sister said her family was still in “disbelief” over his death.
His sister, Veronica Willman, said Bartlett would have to live the rest of his life knowing he killed his partner.
“There is no way to wake up from this nightmare. It has been very hard. We are not only in mourning, but we are also angry,” she said.
‘Our brother worked so hard to get his life on track and he had these plans that just went up in smoke. Going to visit his grave… It’s not fair.
“Shaun has to pay for this for the rest of his life and that’s the way it should be. He was supposed to be a teammate and teams don’t do that… to leave him on the ground, I’m sorry, but that’s not acceptable.”
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