Drunk driver jailed for killing ex-partner while on AVO

Rolong Stanley, a 31-year-old fruit picker from Vanuatu, has been sentenced to five years in prison with a non-parole period of three years and seven months for the 2025 drunk driving crash that killed his ex-partner, Justine Hammond. Stanley pleaded guilty to aggravated dangerous driving causing death in the NSW District Court in Orange.

The court heard that Stanley's blood alcohol level was 0.212, more than four times the legal limit, after consuming wine at an apple orchard before the fatal crash. Justine, a mother of two, was killed when Stanley's ute swerved out of control, hit a tree, and suffered catastrophic damage. The crash occurred near Orange in central-western NSW on a Sunday afternoon in February 2025.

Stanley had been ordered to stay away from Justine and to not drink under an apprehended domestic violence order made in November 2024. He was also prohibited from being within 500m of her. Stanley was sentenced to the high culpability level due to his disqualified driving status, being in control of an unregistered car, and consuming alcohol while in contact with Justine.

Justine's sister, Adrienne Hiko, travelled from New Zealand to address the court, expressing her grief and describing the devastating impact on the family. Judge Penny Musgrave noted the serious nature of the incident, taking into account the poor condition of the rural road and the high risk to other road users. Stanley will be eligible for parole in May 2029, and federal authorities may consider deporting him upon his release.