Justin Wayne Alderton jailed for Bruce Hwy crash that killed Walter Newman

A killer driver responsible for a horror crash on the Bruce Highway broke down in tears as he apologised to his crash victim for having robbed him of his father.

As Central Queensland mourns 12 dead on our roads since the start of 2023, the heartache continued as the drug driver who killed Walter Newman in a “horrific” crash two years ago apologised to his son.

A killer driver broke down in tears as he apologised to his crash victim for having robbed him of his “much loved father”.

Justin Wayne Alderton, 34, pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death and grievous bodily harm after he caused a horror crash on the Bruce Highway on July 16, 2021.

Walter Newton, 60, died at the scene. Also in the car was Mr Newton’s 19-year-old son, also named Walter Newton, who suffered serious injuries and was flown to hospital.

Alderton, himself a father of three, was looking at the ground and sniffling as he apologised to Walter Junior on Thursday in the Mackay District Court for killing his dad.

Walter Newton with his partner Stephanie Bagaric.

“I’m sorry, Newton family,” Alderton said.

“I just wish that it never happened, that it was able to be taken back.

“I wish I remembered so I was able to give you some more closure.

“Words never ever are going to give anything back, but hopefully this can give you some peace.”

Walter Newton senior (front) with his children Maddie, Walter and Alex.

The court heard Alderton had been under the influence of meth and was driving dangerously for about 20 minutes before the crash near Pindi Pindi, north of Mackay.

His Holden ute swerved onto the wrong side of the road about 2.35pm, forcing two cars to take evasive action as he ploughed into a third, Mr Newton’s Ford ute.

Walter Joseph Newton (Junior) was flown to hospital after a tragic crash that killed his father on the Bruce Highway near Pindi Pindi. Picture: Lillian Watkins.

The court heard Walter Junior had been planning to start an apprenticeship but had to delay it after requiring “successive surgeries” and incurring hefty medical bills following the crash.

Judge Leanne Clare said Alderton’s actions had robbed Walter Junior of “his father, his last surviving parent” and “the person most important to him”.

Tragic scenes at a fatal crash on the Bruce Highway near Pindi Pindi. Picture: Lillian Watkins

As she described the “much loved father, husband, and friend”, both Alderton and Walter Junior began to cry anew.

“He was a good man who worked hard for his family, took pride in his work, and helped those in need,” Judge Clare said.

“He was a person who made the community a better place and he had dreams for the future.

“You took them from him and his family.

“That is a profound loss that can never be replaced.”

Defence barrister Sheridan Shaw said Alderton maintained he had no memory of the crash itself, which Judge Clare said was “hard to think”.

Tragic scenes at a fatal crash on the Bruce Highway near Pindi Pindi. Picture: Lillian Watkins

The court heard Alderton had suffered leg and shoulder injuries that left him in a wheelchair for about six months, distressing his younger children.

Crown prosecutor Michael Gawrych said Alderton’s five-page criminal history was “appalling” and he had been caught speeding just 11 days before his deadly driving.

Five months on from the tragedy, Alderton was charged with two more speeding offences.

Mr Gawrych said Walter Junior had presented a “powerful” victim impact statement detailing both the physical and mental fallouts from that day.

Judge Clare sentenced Alderton to six years jail, with a parole eligibility date of April 30, 2025.

She disqualified his licence absolutely and recorded convictions.