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

A crash expert has told the court his opinion on whether he believes a “zoned out” teen was responsible for killing three people in a crash at Mount Gambier.

A crash reconstructionist says evidence shows it was the boy who veered on to the wrong side of the road and killed three members of the same family, a court has heard.

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 aftermath of the crash. Picture: 7NEWS Adelaide

Giving evidence on Wednesday, crash reconstructionist David Kuchenmeister, with more than 15 years experience, told the court he had formed the opinion the collision occurred as each of the cars were turning.

Senior Sergeant David Kuchenmeister. Picture: Stephen Laffer

“The Toyota (driven by the boy) from its incorrect side of the road and the Ford (driven by Mrs Walker) from its correct side of the road towards the incorrect side of the road, most likely to avoid a collision with the incoming Toyota,” he said.

Senior Sergeant Kuchenmeister told the court it was estimated the boy had been travelling 90km/hr at the time of impact and there was no evidence of “significant heavy braking”.

“The Ford Territory, post impact, rotated almost through 180 degrees to face in the opposite direction it was travelling,” he said.

The court heard on Tuesday the boy, who was a learner driver, told police after the crash he had been zoned out and was thinking about school when he veered on to the wrong side of the road.

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.

A sign and floral tributes placed at the site of the fatal crash. Picture: Jessica Ball.

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.

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, on Tuesday and Wednesday, only five members of the combined Walker family were permitted into the courtroom.

Casey Walker, the granddaughter of Ned and Nan Walker, told The Advertiser she was “appalled at the decision”.

“We’ve all taken the week off work, some have flown in babysitters to watch their children, and here we are and they only allowed five people in,” Ms Walker said.

“Five people for three family members who were killed, this is an absolute slap in the face, it is not justice and no closure for us.

“Ned and Nan were my grandparents and Sue was my aunty, yet aunty Sue’s kids are not even allowed in … this is an absolute disgrace.”

The judge-alone trial continues.