Young WA dad James Farmer has been convicted in an accident that killed his young son
A young Western Australian father who was drunk and driving “like a madman” when he lost control of his car and was involved in an accident that killed his three-month-old son will spend at least seven years and nine months behind bars.
James Farmer, 25, had a blood alcohol concentration nearly three times the legal limit at the time of the April 2018 crash.
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He was convicted of the crash in the WA Supreme Court on Tuesday.
Judge Sam Vandongen described Farmer’s actions as “outrageously dangerous” and told the court he was driving “like a maniac” affected by alcohol.
Shortly before the accident, Farmer – who was a P-Plater – was burning out in his Holden Commodore with his partner and young son in the vehicle.
His horn damaged the tires of his car.
He stopped at a gas station to repair the damage before throwing up in the bushes, got into the car and drove off a short time later.
Witnesses then reported seeing Farmer traveling at 180 km/h on the Kwinana Freeway before losing control of his car, which then hit a pole and overturned several times.
Farmer, his partner and his son were thrown from the vehicle on impact.
The three-month-old boy, who was not restrained in his capsule, could not be rescued.
His partner suffered serious injuries.
Farmer showed no emotion when he was sentenced on Tuesday.
He is eligible for parole in 2030 after serving seven years and nine months behind bars.
