NSW driver jailed over teen's death

An "incompetent" NSW driver has been jailed after fatally striking a schoolgirl and injuring two others on her first time behind the wheel.

Sydney mother Puipuiomaota Galuvao, 28, was sentenced to a minimum of two years and nine months behind bars on Friday for dangerous driving that killed a 16-year-old girl and injured a 51-year-old pharmacy assistant and an 84-year-old man.

Galuvao, the half sister of former NRL player Joe Galuvao, was unlicensed and had absolutely no driving experience when she took the wheel of a friend's 4WD at Kogarah in Sydney's south in September 2014, the court heard.

The New Zealand-born mother of two soon lost control and the vehicle mounted a footpath and ploughed into a pharmacy, killing Year 11 student Aneri Patel who was waiting for a bus, and injuring pharmacy assistant Suzanne Ferguson, 51, and customer Frederick Cook, 84.

Galuvao sat quietly as Sydney's District Court Judge David Frearson sentenced her to four-and-a-half years' jail with no parole for at least two years and nine months.

Judge Frearson called Galuvao's decision to drive that day "reprehensible".

He said it was inevitable that she lost control and ploughed into innocent pedestrians, who were just going about their daily business.

"She chose to inflict her incompetence on numerous members of the public," he said on Friday.

Aneri's family showed no reaction as the sentence was handed down.

Outside court Joe Galuvao extended his sympathy to the Patel family, and said no amount of time his half sister served could bring their daughter back.

"We just pray that they find comfort," he said.

Galuvao told police she'd been trying to help her friend, Heidi Watson, when she took the wheel.

Ms Watson had just left court where she'd learned her licence had been suspended.

She knew Galuvao didn't have a licence, but had been led to believe Galuvao had driving experience.

Judge Frearson accepted Galuvao had been under pressure to drive that day but said that didn't excuse her decision to take the wheel and drive through a busy shopping district on a Monday morning.

"Every person within an area reasonably proximate was exposed to the danger she created," the judge said.

Galuvao will be eligible for parole in July 2018.