A Melbourne teenager could be freed from jail in under four years for killing his mate and leaving a stranger with a permanent disability.

The now 18-year-old, who was underage at the time, was on bail, drunk, unlicensed, speeding and carrying a machete when he ran a red light in Tarneit last year, crashing and killing Kevin Olenga, his 16-year-old mate.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Melbourne teen sentenced for fatal crash and assault

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Three months earlier, the boy coward-punched a man in Flemington, repeatedly kicking him while he lay unconscious. The victim is now largely unable to speak or work.

While his offending unfolded before Victoria’s “adult time for violent crime” laws took effect, Crown Prosecutor Nanette Rogers called for an adult sentence.

Chief Judge Amanda Chambers noted “offences of this kind are all too often committed by young people”.

Kevin Olenga was killed in the crash. Credit: 7NEWS

The crash scene. Credit: 7NEWS

“This sentence must send a message to other young people that this sort of offending will result in lengthy custodial terms,” Chambers said.

However, Chambers did still recommend the Adult Parole Board transfer the man to a youth justice centre.

She also noted his age was an important factor in his sentencing and that young people are more likely to make “rash decisions”.

The judge also considered his “extremely difficult” childhood and the “frequent conflict between his parents born in South Sudan”.

He was sentenced to eight years and six months in jail with a non-parole period of four and a half years, not including time served.