Shannon James Murray, 33, pleads guilty to manslaughter after Steven Morris killed in fatal Tweed Heads crash

A Gold Coast drink driver who doubled the speed limit before crashing and killing a man in northern NSW says he can “only imagine” the suffering he has caused.

The scene of the crash.

A Gold Coast drink driver was speeding at 200kmh in his partner’s Mazda when he crashed and killed a man on the Pacific Highway at Tweed Heads.

Mechanic Shannon James Murray, 33, faced Lismore District Court on Friday after fleeing the scene of the fatal crash on August 4, 2020 – leaving Steven Morris, 47, for dead.

Murray pleaded guilty to manslaughter and failing to stop and assist after a car crash causing death.

The mechanic hit 200kmh in a 100kmh zone in a Mazda 3 before he crashed into Mr Morris’ Kia hatch.

Murray and his 19-year-old passenger, who is not facing charges, fled the crash site before emergency crews arrived.

Police found the pair on nearby Kennedy Dr and arrested them soon after.

Murray recorded a blood-alcohol level of 0.125.

Murray was drink driving at the time of the crash.

It was previously heard Mr Morris did an illegal U-turn moments before his vehicle was struck by Murray’s car.

Murrays defence barrister Simon Apps said it may have created an “unexpected hazard” for the offender, but Murray accepted full responsibility for the collision.

Murray said the crash was “irreversible” and he could “only imagine” the suffering he caused the family.

“I’ve taken him away from them. They will never be the same again,” he said.

The family of the victim sat in the public gallery.

They submitted victim impact statements, but declined to read them out in open court.

Mr Apps said Murray came before the court with an “unenviable” criminal history, including jail-time for driving offences.

But he said the crash was ultimately an accident and spoke of Murray’s remorse.

Mr Apps said Murray left the scene to get help for the passenger.

But the prosecution said Murray did not take his brother to hospital, or alert police.

Shannon Murray said he could “only imagine” the suffering he caused the family of Steven Morris. Picture: Monique Harmer

Murray initially pleaded not guilty to the charges in 2021 and the case was due to go to trial in August last year.

But he pleaded guilty on September 13, 2022 after “to-ing and fro-ing” between the prosecution and defence.

Murray was neglected and abused as a child and he battled substance abuse, the court heard.

An addiction to the drug ice cost him up to $500-1000 each day.

Murray did go on to become a mechanic and start a mobile business.

Mr Apps asked for a sentence focusing on rehabilitation and said Murray had spent more than two-and-a-half years in prison.

He argued the offending was relatively low range, but the prosecution said Murray travelled for 25km while intoxicated and an example needed to be made of him.

The case was adjourned to April 14 for the judgment to be handed on.

Originally published as Shannon James Murray, 33, pleads guilty to manslaughter after Steven Morris killed in fatal Tweed Heads crash