Driver jailed over high-speed crash that killed teenager

The family of a Victorian teenager who died in a high-speed freeway crash in the state's north-east has broken down in tears as the driver responsible was sentenced to eight years in prison.

Samara Sabra, 19, was sentenced in the County Court of Victoria sitting in Wodonga after pleading guilty to culpable driving causing death and causing injury recklessly, over the October 2025 crash.

Sabra, who appeared via video link, will serve a minimum of four years in prison, with 367 days already served.

The court heard Sabra was driving a stolen Nissan X-Trail on the Hume Freeway about 12:52am on October 3, 2025 when the vehicle collided head-on with an oncoming car near Wodonga.

At the time, Sabra, who was 18, held a learner's permit, and 16-year-old Molly Hopkins, from Wodonga, was sitting in the front passenger seat.

Ms Hopkins died at the scene. 

The 23-year-old driver of the other vehicle suffered multiple non-life-threatening injuries.

'She will never be replaced'

Judge Krista Breckweg said the Nissan had been travelling between 145 and 170 kilometres per hour about a minute before the crash.

The court heard police first noticed the vehicle about 12:24am, when a man was driving, Sabra was in the front passenger seat and Ms Hopkins was in the back.

The occupants swapped positions after the male left, with Sabra taking the wheel and Ms Hopkins moving to the front passenger seat. 

Police continued to track the car via the Air Wing.

The collision occurred when the Nissan was driving on the wrong side of the freeway.

The court heard police arrived within minutes and found Sabra trapped in the driver's seat, with the engine bay on fire.

Sabra was flown to the Alfred Hospital with serious injuries, including broken legs. 

The court heard no drugs or alcohol were detected.

In sentencing, Judge Breckweg said Sabra's driving was grossly negligent and put other road users at risk.

"Your driving was outrageous," she said.

"I consider the way you drove that car was deliberate and solely your choice, and the way you drove it caused Molly's death.

"Molly was a very much-loved daughter, cousin, goddaughter and friend. She will never be replaced."

Family describes lifelong grief

During sentencing, Judge Breckweg read from victim impact statements from Ms Hopkins's family detailing the devastating consequences of her death.

Her mother, Lara Hopkins, spoke of the "pain of losing a child" and told the court she felt mentally drained and physically exhausted while trying to continue to be a "good parent to her other children".

Ms Hopkins's father, Bede Hopkins, described his daughter's death as a "lifelong sentence of agony".

Judge Breckweg said Mr Hopkins had struggled to return to work, and had relocated and separated from his partner following the loss.

"He said your reckless indifference to Molly's life is a torment he can't escape,"

she said.

Ms Hopkins's sibling and grandmother also described their grief, with the court hearing that everyday activities and driving past the crash site remained painful reminders of their loss.

"Molly's life mattered and her absence is felt every day," Judge Breckweg said.

Sabra could be seen wiping away tears as parts of the victim impact statements were read to the court.

The court heard Sabra grew up in the Mount Beauty area before moving to Corryong, where she experienced bullying and struggled with school.

Referencing reports tendered to the court, Judge Breckweg said Sabra's childhood was marked by family conflict and exposure to substance abuse, and child protection services had been involved in her life.

The court also heard she had begun using cannabis at 12 or 13 and later used other drugs. 

A psychological assessment found Sabra had a mild intellectual disability, autism and ADHD.

Judge Breckweg said she had given full weight to Sabra's age and guilty pleas, which she said were entered at the first opportunity and demonstrated remorse.

The court heard Sabra has also written a letter to Ms Hopkins's family expressing regret and wishing she could take back what had happened.

However, the judge said Sabra's "moral culpability was very high," noting she had been on bail for motor vehicle theft at the time of the crash.