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Teen P-plater who caused crash that killed Nick Campo to be sentenced in June

Teen P-plater who caused crash that killed Nick Campo to be sentenced in June

7NEWS06-05-2025

A teenage driver who admitted to causing the crash that killed a young footballer will learn his fate in June. Nick Campo died on the night of his 18th birthday party when the Toyota Hilux he was a passenger in rolled and collided with another car travelling in the opposite direction. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Teen driver in Nick Campo crash to be sentenced in June. The late-night smash happened on Farrington Rd in North Lake, in Perth's southern suburbs, in July. Campo was an aspiring footballer who played for the South Fremantle Football Club's colts side. Several other teenagers in the car were seriously injured. The P-plate driver, who is now 18 but cannot be named because he was 17 at the time of the offence, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and five dangerous driving charges in March. The judge heard evidence on Monday and Tuesday, and the teen will be sentenced in June.

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Death of Courtney Anderson, who died falling from a ute on the Bruce Highway, to be re-examined at coronial inquest
Death of Courtney Anderson, who died falling from a ute on the Bruce Highway, to be re-examined at coronial inquest

7NEWS

time3 days ago

  • 7NEWS

Death of Courtney Anderson, who died falling from a ute on the Bruce Highway, to be re-examined at coronial inquest

Devastated by the loss of their daughter, Courtney Anderson's parents trusted authorities to investigate her untimely death properly. They were wrong. On April 1, 2024, Courtney died after exiting a vehicle travelling 80km/h on the Bruce Highway near Gladstone. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today The 28-year-old was in the process of leaving her partner Ashley Campbell, who was driving. 'As soon as we knew he was in the car, alarm bells were ringing,' mum Lee-Ann Rasby said. 'You claim to love someone for 11 years, and you don't provide Courtney an ambulance, you just sit there watching and bleed out until it passes by help.' Still grief stricken from their loss, Courtney's mother Lee-Ann Rasby, father Don Anderson and stepmother Kristy Ibbotson provided as much background as possible on the couple's tumultuous relationship, including evidence Campbell allegedly smashed six of Courtney's phones. 'Within 48 hours, eight family members were simultaneously interviewed by the CIB (Queensland Police Criminal Investigation Bureau) outlining her domestic violence and our knowledge of her life was submitted to the Coroner,' Rasby said. 'And the Coroner did not acknowledge one word about any of it — nothing.' On 11 October, 2024, Central Coroner David O'Connell concluded Courtney took her own life. The trio have been fighting for the decision to be overturned ever since. That is, until this week, when Attorney-General Deb Frecklington announced she was ordering an inquest. 'What really struck me is how the family, how united they were and working together. So Lee-Ann and Don, and then Kristy, Courtney's step-mum ... came together for that meeting with me,' Frecklington said. 'They've worked together throughout this, and that really was able to showcase, to me, that, along with the history and the new information and what they were able to and how they were able to explain the circumstances of Courtney's life was able to persuade me to make to take this action.' Raised in Central Queensland, Courtney was only 14 when she first met Ashley Campbell, who was seven years her senior. He would become her first real boyfriend and they remained together for more than a decade. Courtney was packed to leave Campbell when he said they went for a drive to 'talk s**t out' after fighting all day. He told police on the scene they were arguing as they headed home just before dark to Gladstone in Courtney's gold Toyota Hilux. While driving, he hit a straight piece of road with grass on both sides when Courtney opened the door and jumped out without warning, the police report claims. They were travelling about 80km/hour. He travelled about 100m before stopping and then waved down cars for help. Rasby said police knocked on her door that night. 'And when I got there, there was two officers with torchlights because our outside lights went on. And I said, 'Oh my God, it's for me',' Rasby recalled. Six months after Courtney's death, Central Coroner David O'Connell determined there was 'no evidence to suggest' that Ashley Campbell 'forced her from the vehicle' in accordance with the police investigation. Campbell tested positive to both methylamphetamine and cannabis. While no drugs were detected in Courtney's urine, 0.01mg of methylamphetamine was found in her system. 'In the circumstances I find that Ms Anderson, whilst under the influence of methylamphetamine, an illicit drug, has whilst arguing with her partner opened the door of the vehicle and alighted from it,' O'Connell stated in his findings. 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'And when we're talking about the increase of domestic violence, you know, it's a heinous crime, but it also is increasing all the time, and we're not stopping and sitting back and leaving the issue. 'We certainly will continue our focus on victims.' Courtney's family also has the support of former Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman, who met with them earlier this year. 'I really just thought she deserves this, and the family deserve answers,' she said. 'And where there is a sudden death and there has been a history of domestic violence or coercive control, we need to ask the hard questions. 'We don't want an investigation that doesn't reveal the full picture. We don't want a narrow investigation where the context of the relationship isn't properly investigated.' If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Mother's plea after daughter survives head-on crash in the Pilbara
Mother's plea after daughter survives head-on crash in the Pilbara

West Australian

time7 days ago

  • West Australian

Mother's plea after daughter survives head-on crash in the Pilbara

Michelle Leslie was on the other side of Australia in Ipswich, Queensland, watching her nephew's AFL match when she received the news her daughter was involved in a head-on collision near Roebourne. Jasmine Whitfield, 24, was in the car with friends when the Toyota Prado collided with a Toyota HiLux on North West Coastal Highway on May 23, claiming the lives of both drivers, 29-year-old Dakota Tahi Tahi and a 21-year-old man. 'I was just in shock when I heard the news,' Ms Leslie said. 'I was panicking, just in disbelief, all the emotions — my family were with me when I received the call. Not knowing if she was all right was what made it harder. 'The crash happened that afternoon. We didn't find out until night time. 'Our deepest love and condolences for Dakota's family.' Ms Leslie is calling for financial support through GoFundMe , so she can be at her daughter's side during her recovery in the trauma unit at Royal Perth Hospital. 'It's hard because I don't have leave from work, so this is why we've put the GoFundMe out, to raise funds just to help with Jasmine; if she needs things and getting me to and from the hospital. Accommodation is a big factor too, it's expensive,' she said. 'Any help I can get, we both really appreciate this, because I'm going to extend my stay from four weeks to 10-12 weeks to be with Jasmine through all of her appointments. 'I've got no income coming in, as of next week.' Three other female passengers in the Prado were injured, including 19-year-old Manawa Hinaki, who was also flown to Royal Perth Hospital with critical injuries. The collision brings the number of road deaths between Karratha and Roebourne to four in 2025 so far, compared with two in 2024. Teenagers Dennis Hicks, 16, and Ethan Howard, 17, died in a motorbike crash near Cleaverville Road in March this year. The Pilbara community is now calling for better safety measures on the highway. In a statement, a Main Roads spokesperson said in recent years, they had delivered a range of upgrades to improve safety on North West Coastal Highway, including two overtaking lanes, widening, and installing an audible edge and centre lines on the 38km section between Roebourne and Karratha. 'When travelling on regional roads, it's critical all road users plan ahead, manage fatigue and distractions, and be aware of the road conditions when travelling long distances,' the spokesperson said. 'As with all fatal crashes, a police investigation will be undertaken. 'In accordance with Main Roads' crash investigation policy, the agency will also undertake its own fatal crash investigation to determine if any road environment factors contributed to the severity of this crash.' Pilbara District Acting Supt Matt Froude urged all motorists to drive safely at all times. 'We continue to remind motorists to always drive safely on our roads right across the State, and keep in mind the wellbeing of others,' he said. 'WA Police continue to see crashes from drivers that fall victim to the 'fatal five' across the State, which continue to be overrepresented in fatal and serious crashes. 'These are speeding, impaired driving (alcohol/drugs), non-use of restraints/helmets, distracted driving (use of mobile phones), and fatigue. 'Our officers do not want to knock on your door to deliver devastating and life-changing news about the loss of a loved one on our roads. Please take care on our roads so everyone can arrive at their destination safely.'

Promising footy player's emotional mum says killer driver's sentence not enough
Promising footy player's emotional mum says killer driver's sentence not enough

9 News

time04-06-2025

  • 9 News

Promising footy player's emotional mum says killer driver's sentence not enough

Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here West Australian teen Nick Campo's mother is disappointed her son's killer driver has been sentenced to just three years and two months behind bars. A judge today found the 17-year-old driver, who can't be named, was encouraged to speed by his passengers, saying they were all morally responsible for the tragedy. Nick had just made it to adulthood but a high-speed crash while celebrating his 18th birthday ended it all. A teenager who was behind the wheel of a car in a crash that killed talented footballer Nick Campo in Perth has had his charges upgraded. (9News) Bianca Campo says the sentence for the driver convicted of the manslaughter of her son, Nick Campo, isn't enough (9News) "Nick was a really good kid and he was very much loved by all of us," mother Bianca Campo said, outside court. Nick and some mates were catching a lift to a nightclub when the ute they were in collided with a Jeep in North Lake last July. The promising footy player was killed instantly and three other passengers were seriously injured. "It's something we have to live with everyday for the rest of our lives," Bianca said. "We've been quite broken." The 17-year-old driver was today jailed for two years and seven months for Nick's manslaughter, plus an extra eight-month term for the combined dangerous driving charges. With time served, he could walk free as early as mid next year. Promising footy player Nick Campo was killed instantly and three other passengers were seriously injured. (9News) "We don't feel it was enough and I really don't think it sets a good example for young people," Bianca said There were five boys in the Toyota Hilux and four of them, including the driver, had snorted cocaine. The judge also found the P-plater was being encouraged to drive recklessly, racing to beat the club's midnight lockout. His ute had been dangerously modified, with the front passenger seat facing backwards, and only two seat belts, including his own, working. There were five boys in the Toyota Hilux and four of them, including the driver, had snorted cocaine. (9News) "Please just make sure your kids know to do the right thing when they get into cars because this is like a pain that's unbearable, it really is," Nick's mum said. Children's Court president Hylton Quail said although the legal consequences fell on the driver alone, the moral responsibility of the tragedy was shared by everyone who got in the car. "As his honour described in the sentencing, there are no winners here," defence counsel Michael Tudori said. Nick's parents are now on a mission to educate young drivers in their boy's honour. "It's something no one could understand until you've had to live it and I really feel for people who have to go through this," Bianca said. courts teenagers crime car crashes Perth Western Australia sport CONTACT US Property News: The last inner Sydney suburbs where houses cost under $2m.

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