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Nathan Bernhard: North Nowra man pleads not guilty to dangerous driving occasioning death

A driver accused of drunkenly running down and killing his two mates in a joke gone wrong on State of Origin night has entered pleas to his charges more than a year after the deaths.

Nathan Bernhard leaving Nowra Police Station after being granted bail, his brother pictured in a black hoodie walking him out. Picture: Tom McGann.
Nathan Bernhard leaving Nowra Police Station after being granted bail, 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 has denied the allegations in court.

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 court multiple times since, but adjourned on each occasion, until his appearance on Friday where pleas of not guilty were entered by his lawyer.

The pleas come more than 12 months since Bernhard was first charged with 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. Picture: Facebook.
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.
Stephen Lippis was killed after he was allegedly run over by Nathan Bernhard. Picture: Facebook.

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 and killing them.

A teary and shaken Bernhard was granted conditional bail in court the next day.

Nathan Bernhard leaving Nowra Police Station after allegedly killing two of his mates, his brother [black hoodie] walking him out. Picture: Tom McGann.
Nathan Bernhard leaving Nowra Police Station after allegedly killing two of his mates, his brother [black hoodie] walking him out. Picture: Tom McGann.

Bernard’s appearances since have been brief adjournments as discussions between the DPP and his lawyer, Brett Ford, took place.

Magistrate Lisa Viney adjourned the matter to October 2 for call-over at the Sydney Downing Centre Court, where Bernard’s pleas will be confirmed.

A trial date will be set later this year.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/thesouthcoastnews/nathan-bernhard-north-nowra-man-pleads-not-guilty-to-dangerous-driving-occasioning-death/news-story/7a8f7b0fb0018f34fa2734de503ff00b