Nathan Daniel Cross sentenced after driving on drugs and killing Blake Harrison

A driver on meth made an illegal turn on a busy street that ended the life of a close family friend. The victim’s sister bravely shared her grief in court.

Blake Harrison died in November 2023 after a car, driven by Nathan Cross, made an illegal turn and collided with his motorbike.

The little sister of a young motorcyclist who was fatally struck by a drugged up family friend, said she would never forgive him for taking away someone she loved unconditionally during an emotional speech in court.

Kelso man Nathan Daniel Cross, 38, sat emotionless in Townsville District Court as four victim impact statements from the family of Blake Harrison, 24, who tragically died in a traffic crash, laid bare the profound grief left by the loss of their beloved brother and son.

Crown prosecutor Nicole Butler told the court Cross was no stranger to the legal system and despite previous jail terms and court-ordered drug rehabilitation, he repeatedly relapsed into methamphetamine addiction.

In late 2023, Cross was on parole for drug possession when had once again fallen from his sobriety, a court heard.

Ms Butler said on the morning of November 6, Cross attempted an illegal turn off Nathan Street onto Tregaskis Street in Vincent, failing to see a motorcycle approaching.

The vehicle which was driven by Cross which collided with Blake Harrison’s motorbike on November 6, 2023 Picture: Natasha Emeck

“As Cross attempted to turn, the deceased’s vehicle struck the side of the sedan,” she said.

“(Mr Harrison) was thrown from his motorcycle and he died shortly after that impact.”

Mr Harrison was declared dead at the scene at 10:27am.

“It wasn’t known to (Cross) at the time of the accident, but it soon became apparent that the two were in fact known to each other. They were long term family friends.”

Witnesses who came across the scene said they saw Cross “shaking, crying and rocking back and forth”, Ms Butler said.

A hospital blood test revealed Cross had one milligram of methamphetamine per litre of blood, a level known to impair cognitive function and linked to dangerous driving, Ms Butler said.

In the month following the crash, Cross arranged to sell meth and was involved in stealing a boat using a stolen vehicle from the Allure apartment complex.

He later set the stolen car on fire.

Mr Harrison’s little sister, Alisha Harrison, told the court the devastating moment she noticed a photo of her brother’s motorbike in a Townsville Bulletin news article, which had reported a man had died in a traffic crash.

“I immediately tried calling his phone multiple times in disbelief, just hoping it wasn’t him,” she said.

“After the fourth call went unanswered that’s when my panic sank in.”

An emotional Ms Harrison said her world shattered when her partner broke the news to her.

“I was inconsolable,” she said.

“I do not recall much after that moment other than finding myself on my garage floor curled up and screaming.”

After driving the 18 hours from her home in Warwick to Townsville, she went to the hospital with her family to view her brother’s body from behind a glass window due to the “horrific nature of his injuries”.

A week later, while preparing for the funeral, Ms. Harrison discovered she was pregnant.

“Given the fact that we just lost my big brother, my family and I were over the moon,” she said.

However a decline in her physical health caused by the immense emotional toll from the loss of her brother, caused her to suffer a miscarriage.

“I felt devastated all over again,” Ms Harrison said.

The final blow was learning the man responsible for her brother’s death was someone she had once looked up to as an uncle, someone who had shared birthdays, Christmas’, and family holidays with.

Mr Harrison’s motorbike was decimated by the collision on Nathan St. He was declared dead at the scene on November 6, 2023. Picture: Natasha Emeck

“My big brother doesn’t deserve to pass so young … he deserved to grow old,” she said.

“You took those chances away from him, you looked after us and now you’ve destroyed our lives and the family you were once a part of.

“I will never forgive you, nor will I ever forget the damage you have caused.

“I hope you never forget that little boy that you used to teach things to and comfort in his times of need, I hope you never forget why he is no longer with us.”

Defence lawyer, Ross Malcomson, said Cross had asked him to acknowledge that there’s no submission or written material that can undo the immeasurable pain felt by the Harrison family and nor did he want to excuse or explain away his conduct.

He added a psychologist’s report showed Cross’s drug abuse began in childhood, rooted in neglect and trauma.

“(Cross) expressed remorse, sorrow and a desire to accept responsibility,” he said.

Chief Judge Brian Devereaux said Mr Harrison’s death as a result of Cross’s actions had robbed the family of the “potential of his life which he was entitled to and they were entitled to enjoy.”

“They also concede that (Mr Harrison) wasn’t perfect, he had struggles and every family does but it’s clear from the victim impact statements that they’re the sort of struggles that only make a family closer and the loss among them all the more devastating,” he said.

Cross pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death while under the influence of drugs, supply of a dangerous drug, stealing and arson.

He was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison, with a parole eligibility date set for December 8, 2027.

The 231 days he already spent in pre-sentence custody was declared as time served.

Originally published as Nathan Daniel Cross sentenced after driving on drugs and killing Blake Harrison