Man sentenced to five years in jail for fatal crash near Orange

A 42-year-old man has been sentenced to five years in jail for aggravated dangerous driving that killed his ex-partner near Orange on February 9, 2025. Rolong Stanley pleaded guilty to the charge and was given a non-parole period of three years and seven months.

Tragic circumstances

The victim, Justine Hammond, had an apprehended domestic violence order (AVO) against Stanley at the time of her death. Her sister, Adrienne Hiko, travelled from New Zealand to attend the sentencing in the Orange District Court and addressed the court.

"What hurts the most is knowing that Justine's passing was entirely preventable," she said.

"Your choice to disregard the safety of others showed a complete lack of regard for human life."

Ms Hiko described her sister as a "gentle and deeply compassionate soul," who was a mother, sister, aunt and daughter.

Circumstances of the crash

According to the court, Stanley breached the AVO by being with Ms Hammond at an apple orchard on the Sunday afternoon of February 9. He was also in breach of an Intensive Correctional Order (ICO) which banned him from drinking.

Judge Penny Musgrave told the court that Stanley drove an unregistered car with a defect notice, while he was disqualified from having a licence. The court heard that Stanley had been drinking cask wine in his Holden Rodeo at the orchard with Ms Hammond before driving the pair down Lake Canobolas Road.

"It is a road requiring the driver's care and attention," Judge Musgrave said.

The vehicle lost control when the tyres hit the nature strip, rolled, hit an embankment and crashed into a tree. Ms Hammond suffered fatal injuries, including to her head, abdomen, chest and neck, and died at the scene.

Sentence and parole

Stanley was flown to Westmead Hospital in Sydney for further treatment, where tests found his blood alcohol concentration was four times greater than the legal limit. The Vanuatu national will be eligible for parole in May 2029.