The driver and sole survivor of a horrific crash that killed five Timaru teenagers in August has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death.
Nineteen-year-old Tyreese Fleming crashed the overloaded car with such velocity that it split in two.
Javarney Drummond, 15, Niko Hill, 15, Jack Wallace, 16, Joseff McCarthy, 16, and Andrew Goodger, 15, were killed when the car crashed.
The High Court in Timaru heard on Tuesday that the five passengers died instantly while Fleming received moderate injuries.
He had initially been charged with five counts of manslaughter but those charges were since reduced.
Javarney's dad Stephen said it was a 7km ride that went wrong.
"It's not a toy, it's real life. The real life is he took five kids' lives," Stephen said.
"It doesn't matter what happens here, it's not going to make the pain go away for not having a son.
"He bought the alcohol, he put the keys in the ignition, he drove those kids 7.5km, and they crashed on stupidity."
Stephen said that while he felt sorry for Fleming, "at the end of the day, alcohol and keys and cars turn into killing people".
Andrew's sister Jorja remembered her brother fondly.
"He had a heart condition so he really fought to be here, and he was the most loving kid I know and his smile would light up an entire room," she said.
Fleming will be sentenced in June.
