A BELFAST man had 13 drinks and had also taken some drugs before getting behind the wheel of his van, mounting a footpath and killing a Co Tyrone student.
Enda Dolan was walking along the Malone Road in south Belfast in the early hours of October 15 2014 when he was hit by David Lee Stewart (31).
Stewart drove on with the 18-year-old on his roof for around 800 yards before stopping the van.
Belfast Crown Court heard that his passenger William Ross Casement (21), who he had been drinking with him, got out and stood close to Enda's prone body on the road before getting back inside.
Stewart then drove away before crashing into a lamppost further along the road.
Both Stewart, a father-of-three from Grays Park Avenue in Belfast and Casement, from Belvoir Drive in the city, admitted a series of charges.
Crown prosecutor Robin Steer said CCTV from Laverty's Bar indicated both men had been drinking there on the evening of Tuesday October 14 where they watched a Northern Ireland match.
Stewart consumed a total of 13 drinks including six pints of beer and four Jagerbombs.
At 1.15am both men were seen to "stagger on the road" before getting into Stewart's work van.
A short time later, it was parked at Donegall Square East and the pair went to Thompson's Garage nightclub.
They left at 2.20am - and less then 10 minutes later, Enda Dolan was killed.
Witnesses prior to the collision saw the van being driven dangerously, including undertaking a taxi and speeding driving through a red light.
Enda, a first-year architecture student at Queen's University, was walking back to his accommodation when he was struck by Stewart's van, which struck a kerb and mounted the footpath close to Sans Souci Park.
A crash barrier erected at the scene following a fatal accident in 1977 had been removed less than a month before the collision, with road officials later putting in place a new barrier.
Passers-by tried to help the severely injured teenager on the road after the van finally stopped.
One witness described seeing it taking off at speed and being driven aggressively from the scene.
When the van crashed again Casement was able to get out but was limping, while Stewart had to be cut from the driver's seat.
Emergency services tended to Enda on the road but he showed no signs of life. He had suffered neck and head injuries, including a broken neck.
Mr Steer said Stewart was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital where he twice refused to give a blood sample.
He claimed he had only drunk two pints of shandy whilst watching the match.
However, a sample later that morning indicated he was three times over the legal limit. Traces of drugs including cocaine were also found.
Casement also initially denied seeing Enda's body when he got out of the van.
Mr Steer said it was clear that the victim, a former prefect at Omagh's Christian Brothers Grammar School, was talented both academically and as a sportsman, playing GAA and being a member of Omagh United soccer team.
The court also heard that the Killyclogher man was involved in cross-country running, played the guitar and was "generous with his time with his family and the wider community in Omagh".
Mr Steer said Stewart was "highly intoxicated" and had "made two decisions to drive in that condition", as well as failing to stop following the fatal impact.
Casement, the Crown said, must have known the seriousness of the collision and that Enda was, at the least, very seriously injured as he stood close to him.
However, he then got back into the van and encouraged Stewart to leave the scene.
Arthur Harvey QC, representing Stewart, said the father-of-three was devastated by the consequences of his actions.
He said he told police: "I am deeply sorry for it, deeply, deeply sorry. If I could turn back the clock I would. I would give up my own life for that wee lad."
Mr Harvey said the electrician was not used to drinking and was totally unfit to drive, to the extent he was uncertain about what happened that night.
Stewart's wife Samantha also told the court the impact it has had on her family.
She added that while they were "completely devastated", her "heart goes out to the Dolan family".
"There are no words to describe how they are feeling."
Asked about Stewart revoking his own bail whilst on remand, she said: "He couldn't go out after what he had done. There was no other option but to go inside.
"He had no life. He took somebody else's, he just couldn't get in with his own."
Sean Doran, representing Casement, said he had also "reflected on a daily basis" and "deeply regrets becoming involved in the course of events that led to the death of Mr Dolan".
The barrister said Casement has "consumed a very large quantity of alcohol" which led to his judgement being impaired, and described his conduct as "out of character".
Judge Gordon Kerr said he wanted time to consider issues before sentencing next Wednesday.
Stewart pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, as well as four other motoring offences including dangerous driving and failing to provide a specimen of blood.
Casement admitted aiding and abetting dangerous driving, and aiding and abetting failing to remain at the scene of an accident where an injury had occurred.
Both men were remanded in custody.
