P-plate driver sentenced over crash that killed Nick Campo in North Lake, Perth
A teenager who admitted causing the crash that killed young footballer Nick Campo during his birthday celebrations has been sentenced over the tragedy.
On Wednesday, the P-plate motorist — who is now 18 but cannot be named because he was 17 at the time of the offence — was sentenced to three years and two months behind bars.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Driver sentenced over crash that killed Nick Campo.
He will be eligible for parole in 19 months.
There was an outpouring of emotion as the sentence was handed down.
Outside the District Court in Perth, Campo's mother said she was 'quite disappointed' with the sentence.
'We don't feel that it was enough and I really don't think it sets a very good example for young people,' she said.
'No sentence obviously will bring our Nick back. It's something that we have to live with every day for the rest of our lives.
'We've been quite broken by that. Nick was a really good kid and he was very much loved by all of us.'
The teen driver's defence lawyer, Michael Tudori, said: 'My client is incredibly remorseful for what he's done.'
Campo died on the night of his 18th birthday party in July 2024.
He was a passenger in a Toyota Hilux that rolled and collided with another car on Farrington Rd in North Lake, in Perth's southern suburbs.
Several other teenagers in the car were seriously injured.
They had been on their way to night spot Leederville when the driver lost control.
The sentencing attracted such attention it was moved from the Perth Children's Court to the bigger District Court.
The driver pleaded guilty to manslaughter and five dangerous driving charges in March.
He has been behind bars since November after surrendering his bail in what was described as a demonstration of his remorse.
Campo's death came during the deadliest year on WA roads since 2016 and was among the tragedies to prompt change to the state's driving laws.
Red provisional-plate drivers are now restricted to carrying just one passenger in their car.
Campo's parents have also become road safety advocates, urging people to 'call out' young drivers who are careless while behind the wheel.
Campo's father Daniel was also invited to a road safety summit involving the premier, WA's police commissioner, first responders, truck drivers and crash victims last year.
Nick Campo was an aspiring footballer who played for the South Fremantle Football Club's colts side.
'Nick was a bright young man with true talent and a love for football,' the club said in the days after the crash.
'He came through our talent pathway and played colts at South Fremantle for the past two years.
'His loss has been felt heavily across the football, cricket, and wider WA communities.'
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