A 16-year-old Tasmanian boy has pleaded guilty to causing the death of a pregnant woman after a stolen 4WD he was driving at 110km/h ran a red light and ploughed into her car in Hobart.
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In the Supreme Court in Hobart on Tuesday, the youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter, the Advocate reports.
Sarah Paino died after a stolen black RAV4 driven by the boy, and containing three other youths, collided with her car in the early hours of January 22 this year.
Ms Paino's two-year-old son suffered minor injuries in the crash, while paramedics safely delivered her unborn son at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
Daryl Coates, Tasmania's Director of Public Prosecutions, told the court the youth had been driving the car at extremely high speeds during a drive around greater Hobart.
He said crash analysis showed the youth, who was 15 at the time, was driving the car at a minimum speed of 110km/h when it ran a red light and collided with Ms Paino's car.
Mr Coates said Ms Paino died as a result of significant neck and chest injuries she sustained in the crash.
The court heard victim impact statements from Ms Paino's fiancé, parents and sister, who all spoke of their great loss.
Mr Coates said the youth told the three other youths in the black RAV4 "catch yas later" following the crash, and then fled from the scene.
He was later apprehended by police.
A fundraising campaign has raised thousands of dollars for the family of Sarah Paino. Photo: Facebook
Mr Coates said the youth showed very little remorse in a police interview following the crash.
The youth's lawyer, Kim Baumeler said her client had exhibited remorse and changed his behaviour following the crash.
Justice Helen Wood will sentence the youth on June 22.
