A drunk driver who crashed into a group of partygoers, killing Melbourne woman Elise Hodder, will have to serve at least seven years in jail for the “catastrophic” crash.

Connor Mathiasson was on Monday sentenced for culpable driving causing death and negligently causing serious injury, over the incident at an outdoor rave party in Kooyong early on October 13, 2024.

Mathiasson was pulling out of a parking spot when he lost control of his Holden Commodore and struck Ms Hodder and her friends Emma Swords and Jeremy Orr.

Model Elise Hodder’s loved ones pay tribute after fatal crash

Connor Mathiasson returned a blood alcohol reading more than four times the legal limit when he killed Elise Hodder last year.

Ms Hodder, 24, was crushed under the vehicle and died at the scene, while Ms Swords suffered severe leg injuries.

The County Court previously heard Mathiasson was distressed afterwards, telling police, “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean it. I didn’t mean it”.

He returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.213 and was found to have traces of cocaine and cannabis in his system.

On Monday, County Court Judge Robyn Harper called Mathiasson’s actions “overwhelmingly negligent”.

“This was a catastrophic collision entirely of your own doing,” she said.

“The grief you have caused is immeasurable.

“Ms Hodder has lost her life, Ms Swords’s future has been irreparably damaged.”

A silver car with dinted side panels and a broken mirror in a carpark behind police tape at night.

Connor Mathiasson lost control of his car in a Kooyong car park, striking Elisa Hodder, Emma Swords and Jeremy Orr. (ABC News)

Ms Hodder’s parents were supported by dozens of loved ones who packed the courtroom.

At one point Ms Hodder’s mother could be seen weeping loudly as the judge summarised the case.

Last month, a pre-sentence hearing was told about the many lives that had been devastated by the crash.

Loved ones testified how Ms Hodder, a promising model and lifeguard, had touched their lives. 

Several described her as their “best friend”.

A young model wears a white collared shirt and jumper. She has her hair tied back.

Lifeguard Elise Hodder was described as a promising model, and had appeared in a New York fashion magazine. (Instagram: Elise Hodder)

Judge Harper sentenced Mathiasson to a total of 11 years, setting a non-parole period of seven years.

In Victoria, the offence of culpable driving causing death carries a maximum of 20 years’ jail, with a standard sentence of eight years.

The judge said Mathiasson, now aged 24, was entitled to sentencing discounts due to his early guilty plea and remorse.

“No sentence this court can impose can in any way compensate for [Ms Hodder’s] loss,” the judge said.