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Trent Evans, 45, pleaded guilty on Thursday to culpable driving causing the death of his friend, Rex Willox, in Burnley.
The former Channel 7 journalist is facing jail-time after admitting to losing control of Willox’s Mercedes in the city’s east.
The court heard the ex-journalist was double the legal limit after they both downed at least three bottles of champagne, before getting behind the wheel.
Evans said the victim was egging him on to go faster, as he reached speeds of 112 kilometres an hour in a 60 zone on Barkly Street.
The driver, Evans, lost control when he tried to make a right hand turn and the car slammed into a power pole.
Willox, in the passenger seat, died at the scene.
Evans’ defence lawyer Rahmin De Kretsertold the court that at the time of the crash he was five years into a mental breakdown.
“His life had descended into absolute chaos,” the defence lawyer said.
The unemployed 45-year-old had become unstable with drug use and ended up homeless living in crisis accommodation in Parkville.
Prosecutors pointed out Evans had a history of bad behaviour behind the wheel, including three convictions for drink driving, and a series of speeding offences.
The aspiring DJ now faces a potential sentence of 20 years’ jail.
