Elizabeth Anne Quill was found guilty of causing Jayden John Pearce's death on Christmas Day 2018 in a collision on Pipers River Road, near Lower Turners Marsh.

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Mr Pearce was severely injured and later died at the Royal Hobart Hospital after the Kia Rio in which he was a passenger collided with a Ford Laser being driven by Quill.

However, Magistrate Simon Brown handed down a three-month jail sentence that was wholly suspended for two years on the condition that she commits no imprisonable offences in that period.

Friends of Mr Pearce abused and lashed out at Quill as she left the courtroom.

Mr Brown handed down his sentence saying that a message to other drivers must loom large in sentencing.

He said that Quill's social consumption of drugs the night before had not played any role in the crash.

A count of driving under the influence of illicit drugs was dismissed.

Mr Brown said the crash was the result of a lapse of attention.

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"This is a case of inattention resulting in negligent driving causing death underlines that lack of attention can have devastating consequences," he said.

The court heard victim impact statements from Mr Pearce's mother Lynette Pearce and the driver of the Kia Rio, Jackson Spratt.

They were read by Crown prosecutor Emily Stone.

Ms Pearce said Jaidyn was the youngest of her eight children who was liked by everyone.

She said her life had never been the same again after doctors told her they would turn off life support.

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"I have lost interest in everything," she said.

Ms Stone also read a victim impact statement from Mr Spratt.

He said he used to be outgoing but had since the tragedy become insular and introverted.

He said loss, anger and anxiety had caused him to drop out of a course which would have enabled him to become a fully qualified chef.

Defence counsel Alan Hensley said Quill had struggled since the crash.

"She has been unable to come to terms with her role," he said.

"She simply can't explain why she was in the wrong lane."

In his decision, Mr Brown found that the two drivers had ample opportunity to see each other and were travelling between 80-100km/h.

He said that Quill's Ford Laser was on the incorrect side of the road and that Mr Spratt sought to avoid a collision by steering his car onto the side of the road where Quill's car was supposed to have been.

The passenger sides of both vehicles bore the brunt of the impact.

He said the crash was near the centre of the roadway.

Mr Spratt gave evidence that he thought Quill's vehicle had cut the corner and he was expecting it to return to its proper position but when it didn't he took action to avoid a collision.

There was a single tyre mark on the road from Mr Spratt's vehicle as its right-hand brake locked up.

Mr Brown described Quill's record of interview with police as uncertain, patchy and unhelpful.

He said Mr Spratt presented as an honest witness who was deeply emotional and distressed.

"His version was consistent with statements made after the accident on the day," Mr Brown said.

Mr Brown rejected a defence submission that the Kio Rio went into gravel and that the car yawed (sideways slipping of a wheel) down the roadway before crossing into the defendant's lane.

"There was no evidence that the Kia Rio left the roadway," Mr Brown said.

He said he was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the defendants driving was negligent and was the substantial cause of Mt Pearce's death.

He said she failed to keep a proper lookout and that the approach of the Hyundai should have been apparent.

Mr Brown said she had failed to take any action to avoid a collision.

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