The driver in the horror car crash that killed five teenagers has today been jailed for two and a half years.

Tyreese Fleming has admitted to dangerous driving causing the deaths last August.

NZ Herald reporter Kurt Bayer told Heather du Plessis Allan there was anger and heartbreak in the High Court public gallery in Timaru.

“We heard harrowing and emotional victim impact statements which were read to the court. Telling the parents of things, grandparents, aunties of their loss and grief of losing such young lives.”

Bayer says some told the driver it was a needless accident that has given all those families a lifetime sentence.

LISTEN ABOVE