Alleged killer driver Wayne Klingberg standing trial for death of work mate Willyam Tiedemann in 2022

Footage that prosecutors say shows a drowsy driver veering off the road more than 20 times before flipping his car – leading to the death of a passenger – has been shown in court.

A former CFS volunteer who allegedly killed his co-worker after driving while “lethargic” and under the influence of sedative prescription drugs veered off the road more than 20 times before the fatal crash, a court has heard.

Three years ago, Wayne Klingberg, 58 of Freeling, was leaving his home with co-worker Willyam Tiedemann to go to a job, but only made it about 20km down the road before his Hyundai rolled several times.

The car landed in a southerly direction on its roof, and Mr Tiedemann, 62, suffered significant head injuries during the crash. He later died.

Photos taken by police of Wayne Klingberg’s vehicle after the crash. Picture: supplied by the courts

Photos taken by police of Wayne Klingberg’s vehicle after the crash. Picture: supplied by the courts

Mr Klingberg, who was working for DBT Security at the time of the crash, is now standing trial after pleading not guilty to causing his colleague’s death by dangerous driving.

In the South Australian District Court on Tuesday morning, Judge Emily Telfer heard a camera mounted on Mr Klingberg’s windscreen captured at least 20 instances showing his fatigue during the short drive.

Kos Lesses, prosecuting, said that after leaving his property at about 4.45pm on July 1, 2022, Mr Klingberg was captured on his own dashcam veering or drifting across the road as many as 26 times before reaching one final bend, where the vehicle rolled and landed in vegetation.

Mr Lesses said that same camera in his the accused man’s car recorded the audio of Mr Klingberg acknowledging his own poor driving.

Wayne Klingberg who was working for DBT Security at the time of the crash, is now standing trial after pleading not guilty to causing his colleague’s death by dangerous driving. Picture: Facebook.

“We allege that the accused is in constant dialogue with his front passenger for the entire trip,” Mr Lesses said.

“On a couple of occasions, the accused makes comments like ‘whoops, there’s some bumps there’, or ‘gosh, look where I’m driving’, statements which we say prove his self awareness of his poor driving.

“On another occasion, when the vehicle veers over to the left side of the road and appears to go over a pothole, the accused cautions himself with the remark ‘watch the road Wayne’.”

The 21-minute long footage, starting at Mr Klingberg’s home and ending at the moment of impact, was played to the court on Tuesday afternoon, with conversations replayed to an emotional defendant once again.

“Still waking up are you?” Mr Tiedemann is heard asking Mr Klingberg during the drive.

“Yeah. I’ll stop in Balaklava and buy an energy drink,” Mr Klingberg replies.

Moments later, Mr Klingberg appears to lose control of his Hyundai Terracan, before overcorrecting and ultimately flipping the vehicle.

At the conclusion of the footage, Mr Klingberg wiped away tears after watching from the dock.

The court further heard that blood tests taken after the crash revealed Mr Klingberg had traces of prescription drugs – including one drug used to treat insomnia – in his blood at the time.

The trial, by judge alone, continues.

Originally published as Alleged killer driver Wayne Klingberg standing trial for death of work mate Willyam Tiedemann in 2022