A packed public gallery in the High Court at Timaru today, for the sentencing of the sole survivor of a fiery smash at Washdyke

Tyreese Fleming has admitted to five charges of dangerous driving causing death last August.

He was on a restricted licence and had been drinking, when his car slammed into a power pole at up to 115 kilometres an hour, killing all five passengers.

Harrowing victim impact statements from 16 family members have been read at court..

The father of one teen says he's "living an absolute hell-hole".

Another says the night his son didn't come home - was "sheer hell".