The mother of a man responsible for killing two colleagues on a work trip has pleaded for drivers to leave mobile phones and iPods alone when driving.
Nicole Gill was in Adelaide District Court for today's sentencing of her son, Michael Wayne Gill, 28, on two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.
When Gill became aware he was approaching another vehicle, he had been driving at a speed between 111km/h and 123km/h while changing music on an iPodÂ
On May 5, 2010, Gill â€" then 25 â€" was taking four colleagues in a Toyota Landcruiser towing a fully laden trailer to a remote part of South Australia.
He became distracted by his iPod and rolled the vehicle on the Stuart Highway about 130 kilometres north of Coober Pedy, killing Wesley Ridgway and Feng Feng Ye. Neither man was wearing a seatbelt and they were ejected.
"This can happen to anybody, it can happen in an instant if you take your eyes off the road to send a text or touch your iPod," Mrs Gill said outside court. "We just want to leave this alone now. It's had a devastating impact on the families of those kids."
Gill's partner - the mother of three of his five children - was also present for today's sentencing by Judge Gordon Barrett.
Judge Barrett said when Gill became aware he was approaching another vehicle, he had been driving at a speed between 111km/h and 123km/h while changing music on an iPod. Judge Barrett said Gill took his eyes off the road twice, veered to the right and tried to correct his path when he saw an oncoming vehicle.
"You were travelling somewhat over the speed limit but it's not possible to determine how much this contributed," Judge Barrett said. "Had you been driving more slowly, you may have seen the other vehicle sooner."
Judge Barrett sentenced Gill, of Port Lincoln, to four years and seven months jail with a non-parole period of three years and eight months. It was wholly suspended after Gill agreed to a $500, three-year good behaviour bond. His driver's licence was also suspended for 10 years.
Judge Barrett acknowledged Gill's remorse, co-operation with police, letters of apology to the victim's family and the absence of aggravating factors including alcohol, drugs and fatigue.
Gill had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress syndrome and had "turned to alcohol several times," Judge Barrett said.
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