Nathan Bernhard: Man charged with killing friends to enter pleas

A driver accused of drunkenly running down, killing his two mates in a joke gone wrong is expected to finally enter pleas to his charges 11 months on, his lawyer confirmed.

Nathan Bernhard leaving Nowra Police Station after being granted bail on June 1 last year, his brother pictured in a black hoodie walking him out. Picture: Tom McGann.

A man accused of running over and killing his two friends in a drunken joke gone wrong is set to finally enter pleas nearly one year since the tragic accident, his lawyer confirmed.

Nathan Bernhard, 27, first appeared in the Nowra Local Court on June 1 last year, charged with dangerous driving occasioning death, negligent driving occasioning death and mid-range drink driving.

The North Nowra man’s matter has been mentioned in Nowra Local Court multiple times since, with constant adjournments and no pleas entered.

However, the matter was mentioned again in the Nowra District Court on Friday, with Bernhard’s lawyer Brett Ford telling The South Coast News as he left the courtroom that pleas were expected in May.

“I would expect something to happen on May 10,” he said.

The pleas will come nearly 12 months since Bernhard was first charged with allegedly killing his friends Bobby Kelsall and Stephen Lippis, aged 36 and 41, on the evening May 31 last year, after the trio met up at a Bomaderry home to watch the State of Origin.

Bobby Kelsall was killed after he was allegedly run over by Nathan Bernhard last year. Picture: Facebook.

Stephen Lippis was killed after he was allegedly run over by Nathan Bernhard last year. Picture: Facebook.

However, police allege after Bernhard consumed multiple alcoholic drinks, he got in his ute to leave, with his two friends laying on the road to stop him as a joke.

Bernhard allegedly did not see his two friends, running them over, killing them.

A teary and shaken Bernhard was granted conditional bail in Nowra Local Court the next day.

In the Nowra District Court on Friday, Mr Ford said final negotiations needed to occur, with the court hearing the negotiations were taking some time due to the complicated nature of the allegations.

Nathan Bernhard [pictured under checkered blanket, his brother pictured in black hoodie] will enter pleas next month. Picture: Tom McGann.

Mr Ford asked Magistrate Lisa Viney for one final adjournment before pleas were entered, to allow the negotiations to conclude.

Ms Viney did not oppose the request, adjourning the matter by three weeks.

Bernhard will return to the Nowra District Court on May 10.

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