Police say the prison sentences imposed on three young men involved in a fatal crash sends a message to those involved in illegal street races will be held responsible.
Maree Schafer, 18, died in a crash on Sandy Road in the suburb of Meeanee south of Napier on 19 February last year. The car she was in, was involved in a high-speed race with another car.
The driver of Ms Schafer's car, another passenger and the driver of a car that was following them, were sentenced on Friday.
Senior Constable Cory Ubels from the Hawke's Bay Serious Crash Unit said it
Brandon Lawrence, Jesse Ellmers and Adam O'Sullivan appeared in the Napier District Court on Friday for sentencing on charges of operating a vehicle in a race causing death and operating a vehicle in a race causing injury.
O'Sullivan was also charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, after he told two passengers to lie to police about what happened during the race.
Senior Constable Cory Ubels says the sentences sends a message that people who encourage others to race will be held resposible for the results.
"So one was a passenger, one was a driver who wasn't racing but travelling behind, so both of those ended up with a prison term as well," Mr Ubels says.
"So that indicates that if you are aiding and encouraging someone to do this type of activity, then you can be held culpable for it."
Lawrence, Ellmers and O'Sullivan were each sentenced to two years and three months in prison.
