Accused killer teen driver charged with the deaths of three Millicent family members does not appear in court

The heartbroken family of three Millicent community members lost in a head-on collision say it has received a life sentence as the teenage driver accused of killing them is excused from court.

A teenager who was allegedly behind the wheel of a Landcruiser when a head-on crash claimed the lives of three much-loved Millicent family members has been excused from appearing in court.

The large family of Ned Walker, 80, his wife Nan Walker 77, and their daughter Sue Skeer, 55 who were killed on the outskirts of Mount Gambier in November, filled the Mount Gambier courthouse on Tuesday.

The 16-year-old was expected to make his second appearance in the Youth Court charged with three counts of causing death by dangerous driving and four counts of causing harm by dangerous driving.

Sue Skeer, 55, and her parents Ned Walker, 80, and Nan Walker, 77, were killed in a head-on collision on the outskirts of Mount Gambier in November. Picture: Supplied by the family

Defence lawyer Jonathan Brohier told Magistrate Maria Panagiotidis the prosecution was not opposed to the youth being excused due to his anxiety.

Asking for a two-month adjournment, Mr Brohier said “extensive” negotiations were continuing but could not foreshadow if it would proceed to submissions or a pre-trial conference at the next court date.

“I’m not quite sure why it’s taking so long, it happened in November last year,” Ms Panagiotidis said.

The 16-year-old charged over the deaths of three people in a crash pictured leaving the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court in February. Picture: Kathryn Bermingham

The victims’ family was visibly frustrated during the two-minute hearing and outside court Emily Verbena, who lost her grandparents and aunt in the crash, said she felt sick to the stomach.

“It’s really disappointing that we couldn’t see him,” Ms Verbena said.

“It’s not easy to come here under the circumstances.”

Ms Verbena said the grieving family was demanding justice to ensure no one else had to go through what they had, saying laws must be “black and white” and not “work in favour of the party who is guilty”.

“We need to make sure they don’t die in vain,” she said.

Emily Verbena pictured with her late aunt Sue Skeer. Picture: Supplied by the family

Emily Verbena pictured with her late grandparents Nan and Ned Walker. Picture: Supplied by the family

“There’s some laws that until this happens to you, you don’t really know or understand but now we’re a part of it we are asking questions and so much of it just doesn’t make sense.”

After the youth’s first appearance, where the family were told they were not allowed inside the court, daughter and sister Kerri-Lee Bromley called for change saying current laws were not good enough and learner drivers were not capable of being in control of a V8.

A sign calling for justice appeared at the crash site where Ned and Nan Walker and their daughter Sue Skeer lost their lives in a head-on collision on the day the 16-year-old driver made his first court appearance. Picture: Jessica Ball

Ms Verbena said life had been hell since the November tragedy, with the birth of a great-grandchild named after Ned, a granddaughter’s 30th birthday, Mother’s Day and Christmas the among the hardest.

But she said the family’s strength had been instilled in them by their late Gran and Pop.

“We are the ones that get the life sentence,” she said.

“It’s hard to get up in the mornings, it’s hard to go to work.

“Gran never had much in terms of money but she always said she was as rich as she could be because of her family.”

Ms Panagiotidis adjourned the matter until September.