Drunk, speeding driver Campbell Henderson confronted by family of Nick Peart, who was killed in Brukunga car crash
The family of a man killed in a crash caused by his speeding best friend has confronted the driver in court – read their powerful, heartbreaking words here.
Adelaide Hills
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The grieving widow who lost her husband and father of their three children in a horrific car crash said they paid the “ultimate price” for trusting a friend.
Campbell Henderson, 29, was drunk and speeding when he killed his best friend Nicholas Peart after he crashed into a tree in the “senseless” tragedy.
The Mount Barker man pleaded guilty to aggravated causing death by dangerous driving.
Henderson’s Ford ute hit a tree on Pyrites Rd, north of Brukunga about 5.30pm on April 5, 2021.
Mr Peart died at the scene while Henderson was flown to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Henderson recorded a blood-alcohol reading of .169.
Seven victim impact statements were read to the Adelaide District Court on Thursday.
Nick’s wife Elaine Revi-Peart said her family’s life had been ripped apart since the death of her husband, who was her high school sweetheart.
Ms Revi-Peart said she regularly drove past the tree where the crash happened as it was just down the road from her house.
“I see the car totalled and the tree crushing the car every time I go past even though it is not physically there,” she said. “I relive it every single time … it haunts me.”
Ms Revi-Peart said there would be an end to Henderson’s jail term but they were the ones living the life sentence.
“We paid the ultimate price, the tragic consequence of trusting a friend,” she said.
Nick would never see his 40th birthday, which was only weeks after the crash, and left behind three children, Aaliyah, 14, Kayley, 12, and Seth, 10.
In her victim impact statement, Aaliyah said she hated Henderson with a passion.
“I wish that you died in that car crash instead of my Dad … you have ruined my life,” she said.
“I have lost my Dad, my role model, best friend, hero, home, a piece of my heart, soul and joy.”
Nick’s parents, John Peart and Wendy O’Leary also read victim impact statements.
“No mother should have to attend a funeral of their child,” Ms O’Leary said.
Ms O’Leary said the “cruel, thoughtless, selfish and senseless act” that took her son’s life in a split second was completely avoidable.
Henderson read a letter of apology to the court, saying he could never forgive himself for killing his best friend and never expected to be forgiven by Nick’s family.
“If there is any way I could trade places with Nick I would,” he said.
James Slocombe, for the prosecution, told the court Henderson was speeding when he lost control of the car and crashed into a tree.
“Ultimately the tree branch has fallen on the deceased, immediately ending his life,” he said.
James Marcus, for Henderson, told the court he had limited memory of the incident.
The court heard Henderson was a UK citizen and it was “effectively inevitable” he would face deportation.
Judge Joana Fuller will sentence Henderson next month.
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