Jaskaran Singh: Court hears accused’s account of crash that killed Kiama teen Libby Ruge

The family of Kiama teenager Libby Ruge audibly gasped as footage of the crash that ended her life was shown in Wollongong Court as the man accused of her death gave evidence.

The trial of Jaskaran Singh continued in Wollongong District Court on Wednesday with the jury shown shocking footage of the moment the accused crashed into and killed Kiama teenager Libby Ruge.

Singh pleaded not guilty to three counts of dangerous driving occasioning death and grievous bodily harm, and not rendering assistance as a driver, during the first day of his trial at Wollongong District Court.

The CCTV footage from the Collegians building in Wollongong tendered on day three of the trial showed the scene prior, during and immediately after the fatal incident on Saturday, November 7, 2020.

It was the first time the disturbing vision has been displayed with members of Miss Ruge’s family gasping as the silver Toyota Camry careered into the group of four young revellers before colliding with a pole.

The court also heard the extensive interview with Singh two days after the crash where he gave his recollections of the event.

The one hour and 15 minute recording shows Singh stating he’s “not a professional driver” as well as suggesting he “couldn’t have done anything to prevent the crash”.

Singh said he was working as a day cleaner at Woolworths at the time of the incident, had arrived in Australia from India six months prior and had been driving for “about eight or nine months”.

The now 20-year-old told police that his passenger, and owner of the car, Arpan Sharma, was yelling out the window and pulling up the handbrake as they drove Nelish Mishra back to his University of Wollongong residence after a party in the Wollongong CBD.

“They are all drunk [and said] you have to drive as you are not drunk, they were a little bit afraid of getting a ticket,” Singh said.

Kiama teenager Libby Ruge was killed on a night out with her boyfriend and friends in 2020. Picture: Instagram

“[Arpan was yelling out the window] who, who, who. The light went green, I started driving and then the handbrake was lifted [and the car went] drift, drift, drift,” he said.

“I don’t know how to control the car and then the car turned right (away from Collegians) and faced the building trying to control the car, then it crashed into people and a pole.”

After the crash he left and returned a short time later to check on the others who were in the car and confirmed with police, if a similar event was to occur in India, the law was “to call police and if any medical [assistance was needed] call an ambulance or the hospital”.

“After [the crash] I got away from the site because of an anxiety attack,” Singh explained.

“I was afraid it was going to explode, I blacked out and I was holding my face and couldn’t see for a few seconds.

Police and paramedics treat the injured outside Collegians. Picture: 9 News

“I just heard the screams of the people… It was a loud scream, it’s from them being scared [of the car exploding] I think… The screaming went for two or three seconds.”

“I was afraid, I have never been in a crash or something like that. I had a panic attack, I am not financially stable, I would have to pay for the car repairs.”

Police asked Singh why he didn’t stop the car after Arpan started engaging the handbrake and if he could have stopped the incident from occurring.

“I asked Arpan and he said it’s normal, just go on,” Singh said.

“As far as I know I couldn’t have done anything to prevent the crash.”

The trial continues on Thursday.