Mount Barker man Campbell Henderson pleads guilty to killing father Nick Peart in Brukunga car crash

The wife of a man killed in a crash while his mate drove drunk says her family’s life has been turned upside down after losing her high school sweetheart.

The driver of a car that slammed into a tree and killed a father of three while drink driving in April has pleaded guilty to killing his mate.

Campbell Henderson, 28, appeared in the Mount Barker District Court on Wednesday, where he pleaded guilty to causing the death of Nicholas Peart, 39.

Campbell Henderson (second from the right), surrounded by supporters and his lawyers while leaving Mount Barker District Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to drinking driving and causing the death of Nick Peart. Picture: Lydia Kellner

Campbell Henderson, centre, leaves court after pleading guilty. Picture: Lydia Kellner

The Mount Barker man pleaded not guilty to the aggravated version of the offence, which carries a much larger potential penalty, and driving without due care.

Nick Peart, 39, has been remembered as a passionate family man. Picture: Supplied by family

He entered a guilty plea to a single charge of driving under the influence.

The charges related to a major crash investigation after Henderson’s Ford ute hit a tree on Pyrites Rd, north of Brukunga about 5.30pm on April 5.

Mr Peart died at the scene while Henderson was flown to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Magistrate Rodney Oates said Henderson recorded a blood-alcohol reading of .169 – nearly four times the legal limit.

When asked how he’d plead, an emotional Henderson said: “Not guilty to aggravated causing death while dangerous driving but guilty to basic causing death while dangerous driving.”

Henderson was remanded on bail to appear in the District Court on October 8 when a date will be set for sentencing.

Speaking to The Advertiser outside of court, Nick’s wife Elaine Revi-Peart said her family’s life had been turned upside down since the death of her husband, who was her high school sweetheart.

Elaine Revi-Peart outside Mount Barker District Court. Picture: Lydia Kellner

She said her kids had once considered Henderson as “an adopted uncle” but now did not want to hear from him, not even if offered an apology.

“Nothing will bring my husband back. Nothing will bring my children’s father back,” Ms Revi-Peart said.

Mr Peart’s wife and family wore specially-made shirts in memory of their husband, son-in-law and friend outside Mount Barker District Court on September 1. Picture: Lydia Kellner

“I hope there are lessons to be learned, not just for (Henderson) but others who have too much confidence in their driving.”

Peart was also remembered by his mother, Wendy O’Leary, as a “passionate family man”, when she spoke to The Advertiser a few days after her son’s death.

“Nick was a very passionate family man with his wife and children,” she said. “He was fiercely proud of his family.”