A Melbourne man who was high on ice and reached speeds of 161km/h in a stolen SUV before a fatal smash that killed a much-loved nurse will spend at least eight years behind bars.

Sebastian Kennett, 21, was on parole, unlicensed and driving a stolen car when he collided with a hatchback driven by Lynda Hansen, 53, at Oakleigh in October 2017.

Ms Hansen, a cardiac nurse who was on her way home from dinner with a friend, died at the scene after suffering chest and other injuries.

Sebastian Kennett has been jailed over the hit-run crash that killed nurse Lynda Hansen. (9NEWS)

Ms Hansen died at the scene of the collision in Oakleigh. (9NEWS)

Kennett, who suffered minor bruising, fled and was arrested two days later following a police manhunt.

He later pleaded guilty to culpable driving causing death and other charges.

Worried onlookers contacted police before the smash to report the erratic behaviour of the driver of the white SUV who was seen running red lights and reaching high speeds.

Airbag control modules have revealed the Lexus was travelling at 161km/h in a 60km/h zone, just seconds before the crash.

Ms Hansen's father, David Sommers, paid tribute to his daughter outside the County Court. (AAP)

Ms Hansen's Toyota Yaris was pushed 40 metres from the point of impact.

Today, Kennett was sentenced to 11 years and two months in prison.

The court was told he was a disqualified driver who had a lengthy criminal history and had only been released from Malmsbury Youth Detention Centre two months before the smash.

It was also revealed both of Kennett's parents were drug users when he was born, his father has since died and his mother was jailed when he was 13.

Celia Elliot, the victim's mother, said her family accepted Kennett's sentence. (aap)

Kennett suffered an acquired injury from a previous collision, and his IQ falls in the lowest two percent.

County Court Judge Frank Gucciardo said Kennett had been in and out of detention and as a result his prospects of rehabilitation were "bleak".

"None of those attempts have been successful," Judge Gucciardo said.

"Each time you were paroled you re-offended and have been sent back to serve time."

The seasoned judge described CCTV footage of the crash and aftermath as "horrific" and noted the tragic loss of life.

"The life that was lost as a result of this particular offence was invaluable and immeasurable,” he said.

Outside court, the victim’s brother-in-law David Sommers remembered her for “the positive contribution she made to this world.”

“She enriched the lives of all who knew her. There is no sentence that can ever make up for our loss,” Mr Sommers said.

Corinne Sommers, Ms Hansen's sister, said her family accepted the sentence and hoped no one else would have to go through the same pain.

"We just hope he (Kennett) doesn't do it again," Ms Sommers said.

The nurse’s mother, Celia Elliott, said she missed her daughter dearly and reminisced about a holiday in Vietnam they shared before her death.

Supported by his mother in court, who sobbed loudly when his sentence was revealed, Kennett showed little emotion from the dock.