Nathan Bernhard: North Nowra man charged with driving occasioning death to enter pleas

The matter of a joke allegedly turned deadly has returned to court, with the man accused of fatally running down his two mates on State of Origin night set to finally enter pleas.

Nathan Bernhard [pictured under checkered blanket] leaving Nowra Police Station after allegedly killing two of his mates last night. His brother [pictured in black hoodie] guided him away from the media. Picture: Tom McGann.

A man accused of drunkenly running down his friends, killing them in a joke gone wrong late last year, is set to finally enter pleas after nine months, a court has heard.

Nathan Bernhard, 27, first appeared in Nowra Local Court on May 31 last year, facing charges of dangerous driving occasioning death, negligent driving occasioning death and mid-range drink driving.

The North Nowra man was granted conditional bail the same day, which he remains on.

Bernhard was charged after he allegedly ran down Bobby Kelsall and Stephen Lippis, aged 36 and 41, on May 31 last year, after they allegedly laid on Condie Crescent, North Nowra as a joke in an attempt to stop Bernhard from leaving.

The trio – described as “good mates” by neighbours – had met up to watch the first State of Origin game.

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

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

However, Bernhard, after allegedly having drank a number of alcoholic beverages, did not see his two mates laying on the quiet suburban street, running them over in his ute.

NSW Police said following the incident that witnesses applied first aid until NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived, however, both men died at the scene.

The court previously heard Bernhard told police officers he didn’t see the men before allegedly blowing a positive alcohol reading of 0.09 – more than one and a half times the legal limit.

Bernhard’s matter was mentioned in Nowra District Court on Friday, where he was excused due to being legally represented by Brett Ford.

The court heard on Friday that Bernhard’s “serious” charges had been certified, with Mr Ford indicating a case conference could now take place.

Nathan Bernhard [pictured under checkered blanket] leaving Nowra Police Station with his brother [pictured in black hoodie]. Picture: Tom McGann.

In NSW courts, a case conference is a chance for the defendant’s representative to converse with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), to ensure all details allow a plea to be entered.

DPP representative Elissa Costigan said the case conference needed to happen sooner than later, as the case had been adjourned a number of times.

Mr Ford, along with Ms Costigan, asked the court to confirm a date for the case conference, which was determined to be April 19.

Registrar Leah Harvey adjourned the matter to March 9, where Bernhard is expected to enter pleas.