A young man accused of killing an off-duty policeman on a memorial ride in Victoria’s east had smoked the drug ice before getting behind the wheel to drive to Melbourne to see his newborn, a court has heard.

Melbourne man Jesse Reid, 21, had driven to Merimbula in NSW to see his mother when he received news his girlfriend was in labour.

Major Collision Investigation Unit Detective Phil Frith told Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court Mr Reid had had one hour’s sleep when he decided to drive back on Friday.

Mr Reid, who has two prior drink-driving matters, stopped in Eden to smoke ice and drink beer before he got his 16-year-old friend to blow into an interlock device to start his Holden Commodore Acclaim, Detective acting Sergeant Frith said.