Speeds of 188km/h, skids, burnouts before crash that killed driver's friend

Zachary Robert Kolm sentenced to nine years for manslaughter over crash that killed his friendBy Grace WhitesideABC Wide BayTopic:CourtsPosted Wed 14 Oct 2026 at 4:14pmWed 14 Oct 2026 at 4:14pmSupporters wore Justice for Joel shirts during the sentencing hearing. (ABC Wide Bay: Grace Whiteside)In short:Zachary Robert Kolm, 26, has been sentenced to nine years in jail after pleading guilty to manslaughter. He had alcohol and drugs in his system when he was driving at more than 180km/h before a crash that killed his friend, Nicholas 'Joel' Wright. What's next? Taking into account time already served in custody, Kolm will be eligible for parole in April 2029. Whispers and the occasional scoff rippled through a Queensland courtroom as loved ones heard how a driver was under the influence of alcohol and drugs when he crashed his car, killing his friend.Zachary Robert Kolm, 26, was sentenced to nine years' jail after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the Supreme Court in Bundaberg on Wednesday.He was behind the wheel of an unregistered and modified car, and had alcohol and MDMA in his system, when he crashed and killed his friend, 23-year-old Nicholas 'Joel' Wright.Joel Wright was killed in a crash at Burnett Heads in August 2023. (Supplied)The court heard five people were in the car as Kolm did burnouts and skids around the Bundaberg CBD in the early hours of the morning on August 5, 2023.The car was then seen driving along Burnett Heads Road, with GPS data showing it was travelling at 188km/h, before it crashed into a sugarcane paddock, rolled and hit a power pole.The courtroom, with standing-room only, was packed with more than 40 people for the sentencing, including supporters of both men.Mr Wright's loved ones, wearing Justice for Joel T-shirts, shook their heads and commented to each other after the sentence was handed down that it was "f*****g b******t".The court heard Kolm and Mr Wright spent time at a Bundaberg hotel in the evening before the crash, and had invited friends to do burnouts with them.The court heard the car landed on its roof in the sugarcane field after Kolm failed to navigate a curve in the road.Mr Wright was pinned underneath the car and died from mechanical asphyxiation.Emotions ran high during and after the hearing. (ABC Wide Bay: Grace Whiteside)When paramedics arrived, Kolm said someone else had been driving and they had left the scene.The court heard he then lay on the road, shaking, and was later shaking in the ambulance, but a report by paramedics questioned if it was a genuine seizure.Justice Graeme Crow described Kolm's actions at the scene of the crash as "disgraceful", saying there was not "a shred of decency" that night.But he acknowledged Kolm was remorseful, as he had called Mr Wright's father the day after the crash and has confessed he was the driver, and apologised."I hope you understand the pain you have caused," Justice Crow said.Defence lawyer Callan Cassidy said his client "wishes he could change places with the deceased".Kolm will be eligible for parole in April 2029.