Drunk, speeding driver Campbell Henderson sentenced to home detention for killing Nick Peart in Brukunga car crash
The family of a man fatally crushed in a horror crash feel “sick to their stomachs” about the thought of running into the driver serving home detention in the same township.
Adelaide Hills
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The brother-in-law of a man killed in a crash said he is “appalled” by the court’s decision to release the driver on home detention in the same township as the grieving family.
Despite facing a potential life sentence for his crime, drunk and speeding Campbell Henderson, 29, walked free from court after killing his best friend Nicholas Peart.
The District Court on Friday heard Henderson and Nick, who was also intoxicated, took turns driving around the block on April 5, 2021.
On the fifth circuit, Henderson lost control on a bend on Pyrites Rd, north of Brukunga about 5.30pm and his Ford ute hit a tree at 118km/h.
“The force of the impact caused a large tree branch to break off and fall onto the car, crushing the passenger side roof and killing Nicholas,” Judge Joana Fuller said during sentencing.
Henderson was flown to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
He recorded a blood-alcohol reading of .169, which was estimated to be .193 at the time of the crash.
The Mount Barker man pleaded guilty to aggravated causing death by dangerous driving.
Seven victim impact statements were read to the Adelaide District Court last month.
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.
“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.”
The court heard Henderson suffered a brain injury from the crash and had no memory of it.
“You are unable to sleep and you are haunted by the thought of what you have done,” Judge Fuller said.
“You would trade places with him if you could.”
Judge Fuller sentenced Henderson to four years and three months jail, with a non-parole period of three years and five months.
“It is tragic beyond words that not only have these children lost their father in such a senseless way but now rather than being happy and carefree children, they are consumed by feelings of hate and anger towards you,” she said.
Judge Fuller said she took into account Nick was a willing passenger and Henderson’s “enduring guilt” and ordered he serve the sentence on home detention.
Henderson was also disqualified from driving for 13 years.
Outside court, Mr Peart’s brother-in-law, Craig Revi told media he was “bewildered and appalled” by the court’s decision.
“It is a severe blow to mine and the children’s faith in our system,” he said.
Mr Revi said the family felt “sick to their stomach” and “terrified” by the thought of running into Henderson who still lived in the same township as them.
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