After all, he was driving with a suspended licence, and had been drinking before getting in the driver's seat. But what he did next would pale in comparison to the errors he’d already made that day.

In a split second, Wood ran up the back of another car, setting in motion a three-car accident that injured nine people and, most tragically, caused the death of Tayla Brown's unborn child.

The 18-year-old had been a rear seat passenger in Wood’s car after he'd offered her a lift down the coast to visit a friend. The impact of the crash was so great, despite receiving immediate medical attention, doctors couldn't save the 26-week foetus.

The tragic story had its conclusion on Wednesday in Nowra Local Court, when Wood, 33, of Nethercote, north west of Eden, was sentenced to seven-months’ jail, with a non-parole period of two months, and disqualified from driving for three years.

He pleaded guilty to negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and driving while suspended.

Magistrate Gabriel Fleming described the incident as an ‘’overwhelming tragedy’’.

“There was a degree of negligence - inattention and that resulted in the collision. It caused a catastrophic result. And the defendant was driving while suspended.”

Wood returned a positive breath test at the scene; yet left hospital before further testing could be undertaken.

“The impact on the victim is aggravated. Tayla Brown was looking forward to welcoming a baby, instead the serious abdominal injuries meant the baby was born not breathing,’’ Magistrate Fleming said.

“There has been great impact on the mother.”

She said Wood had indicated he wanted to seek counselling and help but as yet had not done so.

“The punishment must fit the crime. In driving matters we must send a strong message to the community,” Magistrate Fleming said.

“You were driving a motor vehicle with three passengers. You have the care of three people in your hands.”

‘Life sentence’ for family of unborn child