Echuca man Jake Cartledge jailed over 'horrific' crash that killed girlfriend and younger brother

An Echuca man whose dangerous driving caused a "horrific" crash that killed his girlfriend and younger brother has been sentenced to four years in prison with a non-parole period of two years.

Jake Cartledge was hoon-driving on the Murray Valley Highway in Echuca on January 14, 2024, when he lost control of his modified Holden Commodore and hit a tree, killing Sheridan Lee Coulthard, 27, and 11-year-old Billy Jack Cartledge.

The court heard Cartledge, then 23, had been travelling at more than 100 kilometres an hour when he attempted a "power skid" before braking and slamming into a tree.

Friends and family filled the Melbourne County Court as Judge Michael McInerney outlined how the crash unfolded, telling the court it took just three seconds and 60 metres for the vehicle to collide with the tree.

Judge McInerney described Cartledge's actions as "arrant selfishness".

"Mr Cartledge had a duty of care on the road, in particular to his brother Billy and Sheridan — the person he was hoping to partner with for life," he said.

"Your behaviour Mr Cartledge is deserving of condemnation, annunciation and appropriate punishment.

"I would disavow the use of the term 'accident'. This death occurred because of the intentional, dangerous driving by Jake Cartledge.

"He indulged in heavy acceleration in the car he was driving."

The court heard Cartledge and his father, Wayne Cartledge — a longtime member of the drag-racing community before his death in May 2024 — had modified the Commodore and reinstalled a tweaked motor the day before the fatal crash.

Judge McInerney said Cartledge's mother revealed in her victim impact statement the "heart-rending" toll the crash had taken on their family, along with Cartledge foreshadowed jail sentence.

"To not only lose a son but a prospective daughter-in-law, and a husband, all in five months," he said.

'Haunted by remorse'

The court heard Cartledge has been living with PTSD, suicidal ideation and major depression since the crash, according to a report by forensic psychologist Patrick Newton.

Mr Newton told the court Cartledge's mental health was likely to worsen behind bars due to his youth and "naivety to the prison environment".

However, Judge McInerney rejected Mr Newton's assessment that the 25-year-old would not receive "appropriate treatment" in custody.

He said that if Cartledge was properly assessed in prison he was confident his mental health could be managed.

Following the sentencing, Judge McInerney directed prison officers to take "immediate steps" to support Cartledge's mental health while in custody.

The court also heard 14 people had provided character references for Cartledge and he was "haunted by remorse," according to a family friend.

He had no prior criminal history and the court was told there were no issues involving drugs or alcohol.

In September, Cartledge changed his plea on the eighth day of his Bendigo County Court trial after initially claiming he lost control of the car because of a mechanical fault.

Judge McInerney told the court that had Cartledge not pleaded guilty he would have imposed a sentence of five years and four months, with a non-parole period of three and a half years.

Cartledge's licence was also cancelled and he will be ineligible to reapply for 18 months.

Judge McInerney acknowledged the profound grief felt by both families.

"No court can alleviate the personal suffering which a family bears for the loss of a loved daughter or sister, son or brother," he said.

"The criminal justice system cannot assuage the physical and emotional hurt felt by grieving relatives."