Ian Deer death: Marc Lutman given custody over fatal drink-drive crash
A teenager who killed his best friend when he took his father's dual control car after drinking alcohol has been sentenced to 40 months in custody.
Marc Lutman, 19, admitted causing the death of Ian Deer by careless driving while over the legal alcohol limit.
The court heard the University of Leicester student, of East Keal Fen, Lincolnshire, tried to save Mr Deer's life after the crash in August.
Sentencing on Monday, Judge Michael Heath said it was "youthful folly".
Lincoln Crown Court was told Christine Deer, Mr Deer's mother, did not blame Lutman for the death of her son and visited him the day before sentencing.
'I've killed my best friend'
Lutman got behind the wheel of his father's car on 30 August despite not having insurance or permission to drive after his friend repeatedly asked for a lift.
The court heard Mr Deer, 19, pulled Lutman's arm away from the steering wheel and pressed the dual controls shortly before the crash in West Fen, Stickney.
Mr Deer, from Revesby, Lincolnshire, was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the vehicle.
Lutman flagged down a passing taxi and called 999 and when police arrived he was still trying to save his friend.
He was overheard saying "What have I done? I've killed my best friend", the court was told.
Alison Summers, mitigating, said a custodial sentence would lead to the end of his university career.
She added: "It is testament to Christine Deer that she does not blame the defendant when he blames nobody but himself."
Judge Heath said Mr Deer had contributed to the crash with some of his actions but there could be no alternative to custody.
"This is a case of youthful folly fuelled by alcohol with tragic consequences," he said.
"The attitude of Mrs Deer to what you have done and to you is remarkable."
Lutman was sentenced to three years and four months in a young offenders' institution, banned from driving for five years and ordered to take an extended driving test.