Model's Life Cut Short by Drunk Driver
A young Melbourne model with a bright future ahead of her was tragically killed by an intoxicated motorist who was more preoccupied with his impending jail sentence than the devastation he had caused. Elise Hodder, aged 24, lost her life in October 2024 when Connor Mathiasson's Holden Commodore struck her near Sir Zelman Cowen Park in Kooyong, inner Melbourne.
The promising model was walking with friends towards a rave party around 1am when Mathiasson, also 24 and driving without a licence, lost control of his vehicle. Mathiasson had been attempting to reverse from a nearby car park while heavily intoxicated, ultimately driving over Ms Hodder and hitting two other pedestrians.
Court Hears Killer's Disturbing Priorities
During sentencing at the County Court of Victoria on Monday, the court heard disturbing revelations about Mathiasson's mindset. Forensic psychologist Patrick Newton testified that Mathiasson had expressed more anxiety about going to prison than the grief he had inflicted upon his victims and their families.
"I know how it feels to lose someone abruptly and that fact that I'm the one who made the decision that caused it to happen to them is really hurtful," Mathiasson told Mr Newton. "But prison is more on my mind. It's hard not to think about prison all the time."
Judge Robyn Harper condemned Mathiasson's apparent selfishness while acknowledging some signs of remorse. "You are clearly immature, as reflected in your statement that prison is on your mind, while others are so clearly suffering as a result of your actions," she told him directly.
Devastating Impact on Victims and Families
The court heard harrowing details of the incident's aftermath. Ms Hodder became trapped beneath the vehicle and died at the scene, while another victim, 26-year-old Emma Swords, required emergency surgery at Alfred Hospital to reconstruct both her ankles.
Ms Hodder's mother, Pauline, delivered an emotional victim impact statement describing the trauma of learning about her daughter's death. "The experience of being woken at 6am by two police officers at our door and being told that Elise had been killed by a drunk driver was beyond traumatic," she told the court.
Due to the severity of Ms Hodder's injuries, her parents could only partially identify her body, with much of it remaining covered during the process.
Emma Swords described suffering from survivor's guilt following the collision that claimed her friend's life. She lost her job, apartment, friends and independence, ultimately relocating interstate to be with family during her recovery.
"I will never be the person I was before that night," Ms Swords stated. "I will carry this loss, this grief, and this fear into everything I do. I saw my best friend die. I survived in a way that haunts me."
Shocking Details of the Offence Emerge
The court learned that Mathiasson had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.213% following the crash - more than four times the legal limit. Traces of cocaine and cannabis were also detected in his system.
Evidence revealed that Mathiasson had consumed a 10-pack of premixed Jack Daniels and Coke cans while driving friends to the rave party. He had already been caught by a speed camera exceeding the limit earlier that evening.
Police officers stationed outside the event witnessed the tragic incident unfold. One officer recalled watching in horror as "one person go under the engine block area of the vehicle, get dragged under." Officers immediately prevented Mathiasson from fleeing and removed him from the car.
Upon his arrest, Mathiasson repeatedly told officers, "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it. I didn't mean it. I didn't mean it." One officer remained with Ms Hodder, providing comfort as she died at the scene.
Justice Served But No True Compensation
Judge Harper sentenced Mathiasson to 11 years in prison with a non-parole period of seven years after he pleaded guilty to culpable driving causing death and one charge of negligently causing serious injury to Ms Swords.
The judge acknowledged that no sentence could truly reflect the value of Ms Hodder's life. "No sentence this court can impose can in any way compensate for her loss," Judge Harper told Ms Hodder's family. "This is a sentence based in law, applying the principles of sentencing that I must take into account."
Mathiasson's sentence was somewhat reduced due to his guilty plea, youth, mental health conditions and prospects for rehabilitation. The court also heard about his history of alcohol and drug abuse dating back to his teenage years.
This tragic case serves as another stark reminder of the devastating consequences of drink driving and the irreversible damage it causes to multiple lives.
