Family and friends of Willalooka crash victims Dennis Frazer and Deborah Thomson deliver emotional victim impact statements

An ex-private school student was nearly four times the blood alcohol limit and speeding when he killed a couple in a horror highway crash, a court has heard.

A young St Peters College graduate was speeding and nearly four times over the legal blood-alcohol limit when he caused a fatal highway crash so horrific his victims could be identified only by their dental records, a court has heard.

James Paul Bryson, 22, from Padthaway, appeared in the District Court in front of Auxiliary Judge Gordon Barrett – and about 30 family members and friends of the victims – for sentencing submissions on Wednesday after pleading guilty to two counts of aggravated causing death by dangerous driving.

The court heard Bryson sped through a give-way sign at 136km/h on the Riddoch Highway in the state’s South-East – colliding with the vehicle of married couple Dennis Frazer, 77, and Deborah Thomson, 65, killing them both.

James Bryson graduated from St Peters College in 2020. Picture: Facebook

In a victim impact statement read aloud to the court, Brian Frazer said his brother Dennis was a “wonderful human being” and wished he could have said goodbye.

“He was my beloved brother – a very significant reference point for me,” Mr Frazer said.

“(He was) a light on the hill, and now I’ll have to live my remaining days without his light in my life.

“The details of the horrific crash have taken me to some dark places. I still have trouble sleeping some nights as I lie awake thinking about those last few horrible seconds of Dennis and Deb’s lives.

“The early days after the crash were mostly a blur – having to find a dentist to identify the two bodies from dental records.”

Brian Frazer told the court he now has “less energy” and “less joy” since his brother’s death. Picture: RoyVPhotography

Family of the victims tragically killed in the crash: Benjamin Frazer, Brian Frazer, Sally Frazer, Nia Frazer and Jane Carr. Picture: RoyVPhotography

On the morning of Saturday, November 18, 2023, Bryson was behind the wheel of a Toyota Ute after a night of drinking when he collided with a Ford Territory carrying Mr Frazer and Ms Thomson at the intersection of the Riddoch Highway and McGrice Rd in Willalooka.

The couple, from Victoria, died at the scene.

Reading an apology letter from the dock on Wednesday, Bryson expressed his remorse to the family of his victims as he fought back tears.

“Adored pop” Dennis Frazer, 77, was pronounced dead at the scene.

“I’m writing this letter to try and explain just how sorry I am for what I have done, and the impact my conduct must be having on you and your families each day.

“I think about my reckless conduct every single day and cannot get it out of my head.

“I want you all to know that everything that happened was completely my fault and my fault alone.”

Outside court, Mr Frazer said it was “distressing to have to consider again just how their lives ended so violently and unnecessarily”.

“We were reminded of how alcohol-affected drivers can make catastrophically bad decisions that have immediate and long-lasting horrific consequences,” he said.

“Dennis and Deb should not be remembered only as South Australia’s 2023 road-toll victims numbers 99 and 100.”

David Edwardson KC, for Bryson, asked Judge Barrett to revoke his client’s bail conditions. Bryson was subsequently taken into custody and will face court next week for sentencing.