Two dead after being allegedly run over by drunk driver in North Nowra

A Nowra man who allegedly killed two neighbours by drunkenly running them down on the state’s south coast has made a bid for bail.

The scene of the deadly incident. Picture: Tom McGann.

A Nowra man who allegedly killed two neighbours by drunkenly running them down on the state’s south coast has been granted bail.

Nathan Bernhard, 27, faced Nowra Local Court on Thursday after being charged with dangerous driving occasioning death, negligent driving occasioning death and mid-range drink driving.

The court heard Bernhard drove a ute out of his Condie Crescent, North Nowra home just after 7pm on Wednesday.

Magistrate Geraldine Beattie, reading the police facts tendered to court, said he turned around at the end of the street and ran over Bobby Kelsall and Stephen Lippis, aged 36 and 41, who were laying on the road.

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

Nathan Bernhard (under fabric) leaving Nowra Court with his brother (black hoodie). Picture: Tom McGann.

Bernhard did not speak to media as he left. Picture: Tom McGann.

Bernhard told police officers he didn’t see the men, before he allegedly blew a positive alcohol reading of 0.09, the court heard.

The 27-year-old was convicted of high-range drink driving in 2017 and was sentenced to a community correction order in 2020 for drug supply, leading to police prosecutor Ray Kingston to “strongly” oppose bail.

Markings on the road by NSW Police crash investigators.

The road was closed off for a number of hours overnight.

Despite this, Bernhard’s lawyer, Brett Ford, said bail should be granted as the previous matters were not serious.

“These are small matters, he has no violence and he can be rehabilitated into society,” he said.

Ms Beattie said these new charges were “extremely serious” and told Bernhard there was “absolutely no need for you to be behind the wheel”.

However, Mrs Beattie granted bail, noting he was unlikely to offend again in the time between now and the completion of his court proceedings.

“I am granting you bail today, but you have to be on good behaviour,” she said.

“You cannot drive, you cannot get in the driver’s seat, even if the car isn’t moving, you cannot contact witnesses or prosecution and you must reside at your property in Nowra.”

Bernhard’s matter was adjourned to August 9 in Nowra Local Court.

Bobby Kelsall. Picture: Facebook.

Stephen Lippis. Picture: Facebook.

A neighbour of Mr Lippis and Mr Kelsall, who wished to remain nameless, cried as she remembered the two “great mates”.

“All three of them were mates,” she said. “This has been just such a tragic, terrible incident. I’m still in shock.”

The emotional neighbour said she could hear the mates having fun and joking around before the incident.

“We often saw them hanging out and mucking around,” she said. “I just can’t believe this has happened.”

Kris Park, who lives on Condie Crescent, told this publication on Thursday she was unable to return to her home after work until the 2.30am as emergency services attended the scene and fire crews washed down the street.

Another Condie Crescent resident, who wished to remain nameless, said she rushed outside after hearing a “loud thud”.

“When we got outside, lots of people were surrounding these two bodies lying on the ground,” she said. “We knew something really bad had happened and when I found out exactly what had happened this morning, I left some flowers.”

Bernhard has not yet entered any pleas and the matter will return to the same court on August 9.