Drug driver jailed for crash that resulted in premature baby death

A man who was high on methamphetamine when he crashed into a pregnant learner driver has been jailed for seven years over the death of her baby.

Warning: This story mentions suicide and other details readers might find confronting.

Andrew Dean Robson, 35, was driving on the wrong side of an Albury street on February 21, 2025, when he crashed head-on with the car driven by 19-year-old Angel Fewster, who was 27 weeks pregnant at the time. 

Ms Fewster, who was accompanied by her driving instructor Dominic Summers, was rushed to hospital after the crash where her baby, Casey, was born by emergency caesarean. 

She was flown with her baby to Melbourne where it became apparent the child had experienced terrible brain damage, a NSW District Court was told. 

Robson, from Deniliquin, was initially charged with manslaughter, but later pleaded guilty to dangerous driving occasioning death, dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and drug driving.

He was today sentenced to seven years in jail with a non-parole period of four-and-a-half years.

Victims' statements read

In sentencing, Judge Nanette Williams referred to victim impact statements previously tendered to the court. 

Ms Fewster's statement included a letter she wrote to Casey before his life support was turned off on February 24, three days after the crash.

The court heard Casey had received extensive resuscitation efforts, blood transfusions and had brain haemorrhage and seizures.

Judge Williams said Ms Fewster's letter spoke of the trauma of a mother losing her child, of her anguish and suffering in the days after his death, and that she considered suicide to be with her baby again. 

She chose not to take her life "to demonstrate her strength", the judge said.

Ms Fewster's statement to the court said the crash took away not only her son but "my chance at motherhood, my future, my mental health, my peace".

Mr Summers, the driving instructor, told the court he experienced "survivor's guilt" and that he was triggered when he saw utes similar to the one driven by Robson.  

'Baby killer' sprayed on fence

The court heard that when police found Robson after the crash, he was anxious, sweaty, with "glassy, bloodshot eyes".

Blood and urine tests found methylamphetamine in his system.

The judge said Robson was remorseful, citing a statement made in which he said: "I wish it was me that had died rather than the baby". 

Judge Williams noted media coverage of the case had been difficult for Robson, who had the words "baby killer" spray-painted on his front fence. 

The court heard that Robson had a deprived childhood. His mother, who was addicted to opioids, left when he was an infant, leaving him to be raised by a single parent.