‘Show them how graphic and horrific it is’, says man injured by killer drunk driver

BRAD Nicholson was two times over the legal limit when he got behind the wheel. The drive home left one mate dead, and two others with devastating injuries.

WITH his best mate dead, and another friend suffering ongoing pain, Joshua Bell says “no-one can benefit” from the outcome of the court case which saw killer drunk driver Bradley Nicholson jailed on Monday.

Josh sustained horrific critical injuries in the April, 2015 crash in which his mate, Charlie Robertson, was killed and another friend, Monique Kouvaras, was left with life-changing injuries after Victorian man Bradley Nicholson got behind the wheel following a night at the pub.

The 24-year-old was jailed on Monday for the crash, which occurred after he failed to take a bend at the regional township of Launching Place.

Nicholson had a blood-alcohol level of 0.108.

His modified four-wheel drive rolled several times and smashed into a tree, causing three of his five passengers to be flung from the car and into nearby trees and bushes.

Josh Bell (dark hair inset), was injured and Charlie Robertson (light hair, inset) killed instantly in a car driven by Bradley Nicholson (right). Picture: Supplied

Charlie Robertson, 20, suffered serious head and upper body injuries, and died at the scene.

Josh suffered 10 skull fractures, brain injury, more than 70 per cent vision loss to his right eye, broken ribs, a severed left ear and multiple spinal fractures.

Monique Kouvaras sustained a severe traumatic brain injury, spinal injuries, and has had to relearn to read, write and walk.

Contacted after the sentencing, Josh was brief, but to the point.

“I think no one can benefit from the outcome,” he said, as he called for young drivers to realise how devastating drink-driving is.

“Charlie, a best mate of mine has lost his life and his amazing family suffer each day,” Josh said.

“Monique and her beautiful family continue to experience the ongoing pain.

“The best thing that can happen out of this incident is prevention.

“Properly educate young drivers and show them how graphic and horrific it is.

“The only thing a drink driver is worried about is getting caught, not killing someone.”

Monique Kouvaras and her father, Maurie. She spent months in hospital with devastating injuries and had to relearn how to read, write and talk. Picture: Steve Tanner

The County Court of Victoria was told on Monday that Nicholson had been drinking beer and whiskey with coke at the Sam Knott Hotel at Wesburn to celebrate Mr Bell’s birthday.

One witness at the party described him as being “pissed”.

Another friend told Nicholson he shouldn’t drive that night, but he responded: “oh well, I know what I’m doing”.

Nicholson got into his Nissan Patrol, piling in five of his friends, to continue celebrating at a friend’s house.

He then drove into a sharp curve too quickly, overcorrecting several times before his car rolled and collided with a large tree.

The vehicle slammed into this tree after rolling a number of times. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

Flowers placed at the scene in a makeshift memorial after the deadly crash. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

Judge Michael O’Connell said Nicholson, who has an intellectual disability, had not been driving erratically or speeding before the accident, but negotiated the bend too quickly while influenced by alcohol.

Nicholson, who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and serious injury, was jailed for three years and nine months.

He will be eligible for parole after 21 months.

Earlier this year, almost two years since the accident, Monique’s father, Maurie, spoke out about the impact of the devastating crash, saying Monique’s life “will never be the same again”.

“It really breaks my heart that she can’t do things like play footy again,” he said

“She’s struggling with her recovery and she hasn’t been working, but she’s in high spirits learning how to walk and run again.

“Her physio and medical team have been so incredible in aiding her recovery and we’re really trying to work on the part of her brain that’s damaged so she can recover from memory loss.”

Mr Kouvaras said he was sure Nicholson “never set out to do this but it’s a stupid mistake that he has to live with for the rest of his life”.

Debris from the crash was strewn over a large distance. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

Originally published as ‘Show them how graphic and horrific it is’, says man injured by killer drunk driver