Day three of trial for youth accused of killing Millicent’s Ned and Nan Walker, and Sue Skeer, in Mount Gambier crash

A teen had stopped taking his ADHD medication before allegedly killing three people in a crash – as the victim’s family’s request was finally met for the last day of the trial.

A learner driver accused of killing three people in a head-on collision had stopped taking his ADHD medication without his doctor’s knowledge months before the crash.
The 17-year-old, whose identity is suppressed by law, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of causing death and four counts of causing harm by dangerous driving.

Ned and Nan Walker, and their daughter Sue Skeer, died in the head-on crash on the Princes Highway at Suttontown, near Mount Gambier, on November 28, 2020.

Opening the boy’s Youth Court trial in Mount Gambier on Tuesday, prosecutor Aimee Winra said the boy was driving a Toyota LandCruiser on the incorrect side of the road when it collided with a Ford Territory driven by Mrs Walker.

Mr Walker, 80, Mrs Walker, 77, and Ms Skeer, 55, all from Millicent – died instantly.

Sue Skeer, left, and her parents Ned and Nan Walker. Picture: Supplied

The court heard the boy told police after the crash he had “zoned out” and was thinking about school when he veered on to the wrong side of the road.

Giving evidence on Thursday, Mount Gambier Hospital paediatrician, Daham de Silva, told the court the boy had previously been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Dr de Silva said he prescribed the boy Vyvanse – a long-acting stimulant medication, which reduces distractibility and increases concentration – in February 2020.

He said he was not aware that the boy had stopped taking the medication.

The court heard it was agreed by the boy’s counsel that he stopped taking Vyvanse in May 2020.
Giving evidence, Professor Jason White told the court ceasing ADHD medication would return a person to their pre-treatment state after a day or two.

Pr White said inattention increases the risks of car accidents, particularly at higher speeds.

“It’s been found people with ADHD have an increased risk of accidents,” he said.

Bill Boucaut SC, for the boy, said his client’s drifting on to the incorrect side of the road was “momentary” and he was alerted by his mother, who was his supervising driver, to correct.

Giving evidence, the boy’s aunt said they had been travelling back from an autism social club and was “absolutely sure” Mrs Walker had veered on to their side of the road.

A Christmas message left at the memorial where Ned and Nan Walker and their daughter Sue Skeer lost their lives in a head-on collision in November 2020. Picture: Jessica Ball

Giving evidence on Wednesday, crash reconstructionist David Kuchenmeister, said he formed the opinion it was the boy’s car that veered on to the incorrect side of the road and caused the crash.

In the Adelaide Youth Court this month, counsel for the boy made a final attempt to keep the victims’ family out of the courtroom.

Judge Penny Eldridge rejected the submission, saying the media and the victims’ families were entitled to be there.

However only five members of the combined Walker family have been permitted into the courtroom so far this week.

Casey Walker, the granddaughter of Ned and Nan Walker, told The Advertiser it had been an “absolute slap in the face”.

On Thursday, the court heard a spare courtroom and staff had been made available so all members of the victim’s family could attend the final day of the trial.

The judge-alone trial continues.