Mate dead: I'm guilty

A JAPANESE tourist pleaded guilty to killing his friend in an horrific car crash on Fraser Island.

Takashi Nukuto returns to court with his interpreter. Picture: Alistair Brightman

A JAPANESE tourist pleaded guilty yesterday to killing his friend in an horrific car crash on Fraser Island.

Takashi Nukuto, 31, entered his plead in Hervey Bay District Court yesterday.

He will now have to wait another week to receive his sentence after court was adjourned.

The court heard Nukuto lost control of the Toyota Landcruiser while driving along Eastern Beach on Fraser Island on December 13, 2009.

The vehicle rolled three times, throwing one of the passengers some 15 metres distant from it and into the water.

This passenger, Takeshi Sakai, died soon after from multiple injuries including a fractured skull and lacerations to his lungs.

The court heard Nukuto was driving over the recommended speed limit and swerved into soft sand, which caused the car to flip over.

The case has taken many twists and turns since then, including a coronial inquest in which Nukuto said he only saw safety instructions in English.

He also admitted to breakfasting on noodles, wine and coffee before the accident.

After police decided there was enough evidence to lay charges for dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death, the case was listed for trial, until Nukuto's guilty plea.

The case stalled yesterday after Nukuto's solicitor showed up two hours late.

This caused a scheduling clash with Nukuto's interpreter, who had to leave in the middle of the sentencing.

The sentencing is set to conclude next week.

Originally published as Mate dead: I'm guilty