Family of teenager hit and killed by Lamborghini speaks out

A family who lost their daughter in a car crash have spoken outside court after the man driving was found not guilty of causing her death by dangerous driving.

The heartbroken family of a teenage girl hit and killed by a Lamborghini in 2019 have spoken outside a South Australian court, after the man behind the wheel was found not guilty of causing her death by driving dangerously.

In June 2019, Sophia Naismith from Seaview Downs and her best friend Jordyn Callea from Richmond were walking along Morphett Rd in Glengowrie when the luxury car mounted a kerb and hit the two girls, before crashing into a restaurant.

Sophia, aged 15 at the time, died at the scene, as Jordyn was rushed to the Flinders Medical Centre with serious but not life threatening injuries.

Sophia Naismith (left) with her best friend Jordyn Callea. Picture: Instagram

On Thursday, the District Court ruled prosecutors had failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Alexander Campbell, 37, of Elizabeth North, had deliberately applied harsh acceleration to his white $330,000 Lamborghini, resulting in the crash.

Judge Paul Muscat, who heard the trial in the absence of a jury, said the case had not been an easy one to try.

Alexander Campbell leaves the District Court with his wife Diana after a not-guilty verdict of causing death by dangerous driving for Sophia Naismith, who was struck down and killed by his out of control Lamborghini at Glengowire in June 2019. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“Upon my careful assessment of the whole of the evidence that the prosecution presented at the trial, and the arguments advanced by the parties as to the sufficiency of the evidence to prove the charges, I am not satisfied that it has been proved beyond reasonable doubt you did deliberately apply harsh acceleration to your Lamborghini,” Judge Muscat said.

“To put it another way, the evidence does not exclude as a reasonable possibility that you did not, and that you lost control of the Lamborghini for reasons other than that.

“As such, I find you not guilty to the primary offences.”

Supporters and family of Sophia Naismith, who wore matching red ribbons, wept in the gallery as the verdict was read.

“This is bull****,” one man said repeatedly.

Campbell, who previously pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated driving without due care, will appear in court later in the year for sentencing.

Because of his confession to that lesser offence, he faces a maximum penalty of 12 months’ imprisonment and mandatory license disqualification.

Outside court, the victim’s father, Luke Naismith, expressed his family’s “sense of loss” and “pain and suffering” over the not-guilty verdict.

Sophia Naismith’s family, sister Saskia, mother Pia Vogrin, father Luke Naismith and sister Ursula, expressed their disappointment after a not-guilty verdict of causing death by dangerous driving. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“Today’s verdict has devastated our family,” Mr Naismith said.

“Since her death, we’ve placed our faith in the legal system, in the unwavering belief that justice would prevail. Today, it has failed us and all South Australian families whose innocent children deserve to feel safe on our roads and footpaths,” he said.

Sophia’s mother, Pia Vogrin expressed her thanks to the members of South Australian Police who worked to seek justice for her daughter.

“Despite the decision, we would like to say thank you to the many members of South Australia police and in particular major crash, all the representatives of the office of the DPP for their painstaking work and commitment to this case, and doing their absolute best to try and seek justice for Sophia,” Ms Vogrin said.

Mr Naismith said his family will be speaking to the Department for Public Prosecutions to determine whether there are grounds to appeal the verdict.