Rory Teiffel: Victorian man jailed after killing brother, cousin while showing off new car

Two close-knit Victorian families have been left devastated after two cousins ​​were killed on Easter Sunday over a decision to show off a new ‘high performance’ car.

Rory Teiffel, 25, appeared in the Victoria District Court again on Monday after being told he faces a minimum of five years and four months in prison for the deaths of Denver Teiffel, 16, and Ryan Suggate, 26, last year.

Members of Teiffel’s extended family wept in the courtroom as Judge Sarah Leighfield read out details of the horrific crash.

The court was told that Teiffel’s family were hosting their cousins ​​over the Easter weekend when he made the fateful decision to take his youngest brother and two cousins ​​for a drive in his new Jeep Grand Cherokee on April 9.

The then 23-year-old was “very proud” of the new vehicle, bragging about how it was a “high-performance car.”

Nine and a half minutes later, he lost control of the car while taking a bend and crashed into two trees, then rolled across the road into a field.

Judge Leighfield said Teiffel’s surviving cousin, Arron Suggate, had filmed the speedometer reading 246km/h shortly before the crash on Greta Rd in Wangaratta.

“Your actions in entering the bend at such a high speed can only be described as criminally negligent,” she said.

The scene of a high speed car crash in country Victoria where Rory Teiffel killed his cousin and brother. Photo 9 News

‘You had three passengers in your care, two of whom died as a result of your actions and a third of whom suffered injuries, including broken bones.

“There was no way you could ever drive that vehicle.”

Ryan died instantly, while Denver and Aaron were rushed to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, where Denver died of complications six days later.

The court was told that Teiffel had cooperated with police and admitted to speeding and drinking alcohol earlier that day.

Three hours after the crash, his blood alcohol level was measured at 0.079.

At a court hearing last month, he pleaded guilty to two counts of drunk driving causing death and a misdemeanor alcohol violation.

In court submissions, Teiffel was described as a popular, hardworking and charitable man who had suffered severe trauma and guilt as a result of the crash.

Judge Leighfield said Teiffel, who had grown up in the isolated Brethren church community, had since been ostracised from the church and could no longer associate with or eat with members, including his own family.

“You find this difficult,” she said.

‘Especially in the situation where you have spent your entire life within that community.’

Members of Rory Teiffel’s extended family wept as the sentence was read out. Photo: NewsWire/ Liam Beatty

The court was told that Aaron had forgiven Teiffel and that the Suggate family had ‘graciously’ accepted a letter of condolence.

He was sentenced to eight years and nine months in prison and will be eligible for parole after serving five years and four months.

Teiffel nodded as his sentence was read.

Judge Leighfield said she believed he had excellent prospects of rehabilitation after his release and was “quite confident” he would never face trial again.

“The community does not condone this driving behaviour and this sentence should send a message to other people, particularly young men, that they can expect a significant prison sentence,” she said.