‘I actually feel like I died that night too’: Crash victim’s father tells Lamborghini driver

The family of a teenage girl who was hit and killed by an out-of-control sports car has walked out of court as the driver read an apology.

Sophia Naismith, 15, was killed and her friend Jordyn Callea was injured when they were hit by a Lamborghini driven by Alexander Campbell as they walked along the footpath on Morphett Road at Glengowrie in June 2019. 

Campbell pleaded guilty to aggravated driving without due care over the crash.

In August, he was found not guilty of the more serious offence of causing death by dangerous driving. 

During sentencing submissions on Friday, Campbell attempted to read his apology to the Naismith family, who stood up with their supporters and walked out.

Campbell said through tears that he lived in a prison of his own creation, and that he will never be the same person again.

“I will be forever sorry from the deepest part of what makes me human… no parent should ever have to go through this loss,” he said.

“I will forever live my life knowing I have taken their child away from them.”

‘I actually feel like I died that night too’

Nine victim impact statements were read by members of the Naismith family and Sophie’s injured friend Jordyn Callea. 

Ms Callea read her victim impact statement through tears, saying she now suffers from post traumatic stress disorder.

“Not only have you taken the purest soul from this world, you’ve left me with mine, survivor’s guilt is some of the worst pain you can ever bestow on someone,” Ms Callea said. 

Sophia’s father Luke Naismith spoke through tears and anger as he addressed the court.

“Because of what you did I actually feel like I died that night too and I am just walking around in a soulless shell … I really just feel dead inside,” Mr Naismith said.

‘A life sentence of sadness’

Sophia’s sister Saskia Naismith broke down as she told the court she felt like her family lived a never-ending nightmare.

“I push so many people away so that if they are killed, it won’t hurt as bad,” she told the court. 

“I hope that because you have not been punished by the law, you will suffer in every aspect of your life until you die, because that is what you have done to me.”

Sophia’s youngest sister Ursula Naismith said Campbell had given her family a life sentence of sadness.

“I know that it won’t bring Soph back, but he needs to go to jail to teach him a lesson and show other drivers what happens if they’re responsible for killing someone,” she said. 

“I cannot believe that there are no consequences for the driver, I cannot believe that he was not guilty.”

The prosecution asked the judge for an immediate jail term, while Campbell’s lawyer asked for more leniency, calling for a suspended sentence.

He will be sentenced in October.