James Kell: Driver accused of crash that killed Taylor Prior near Nowra had MDMA, cocaine in system, police allege

The driver accused of causing a head-on crash that killed a woman on New Year’s Day is alleged to have been driving with a cocktail of drugs in his system.

The driver accused of causing a head-on crash that killed a well-known local hairdresser on the NSW south Coast on New Year’s Day is alleged to have been driving with a cocktail of drugs in his system.

James Kell was charged with negligent driving occasioning death in March after an investigation by South Coast police into the fatal crash in Currarong that killed 26-year-old Taylor Prior.

According to court documents exclusively obtained by The South Coast News, the Currarong man has since had two additional charges laid, including driving with middle range PCA and illicit drugs present in his blood.

The 20-year-old is alleged to have had multiple drugs in his system, including MDMA, cocaine, and marijuana.

Kell is further alleged to have been driving with a blood-alcohol content of no less than 0.016mg per litre.

Emergency services were called to the busy seaside road near Currarong and Jervis Bay following reports that a Subaru Forester and a Hyundai sedan had collided around 10.30am on January 1.

Pictures of Taylor Prior, 26, who died in a crash at Currarong on New Year's Day.

Kell was alleged by police to have been driving the Hyundai, but according to court documents was driving an ACT-plated 2003 Subaru Forester, according to Access Canberra.

Kell was treated by paramedics for minor injuries before being flown to Wollongong Hospital as a precaution, according to police.

Ms Prior died at the scene.

An investigation was launched by officers from the Southern Crash Investigation Unit into the circumstances surrounding the collision.

The incident was listed for mention at the Nowra Local Court on May 20, where it was adjourned for the Director of Public Prosecutions to receive a full brief, including expert reports.

Kell, who was not present, will reappear at the South Coast court on July 22.