Man pleads guilty to drink driving after crash that killed young father

A Mount Barker man has pleaded guilty to being drunk when the ute he was driving hit a tree, killing his passenger, a father of three.

Campbell Henderson, 28, pleaded guilty to having a blood-alcohol reading three times the legal limit when his ute hit a tree on Pyrites Road at Brukunga in April 2021.

Elaine Revi-Peart’s husband, Nick Peart, 39, was a passenger in the car and died at the scene.

Outside the Mount Barker Magistrates’ Court, she spoke of the impact the tragedy had had on her and her three children.

“My world, it’s gone, same with my kids, their world’s gone, their dad’s gone, everything,” Ms Revi-Peart said.

“But I hope that there’s justice in it, and I hope there’s lessons to be learned not just for him, but for others.”

Mr Henderson pleaded guilty to basic death by dangerous driving and driving while exceeding the prescribed concentration of alcohol.

However, he pleaded not guilty to the more serious charge of aggravated death by dangerous driving.

The prosecution said it was not prepared to reduce the charge from an aggravated offence and Mr Henderson will face court again in October.

Family and the environment were victim’s passions, family says

Ms Revi-Peart and supporters wore bespoke jumpers as a tribute to her late husband.

The clothes are emblazoned with a picture of Mr Peart, who worked as an arborist, brandishing a chainsaw, saying he had been “slaying since 81”, a reference to his favourite heavy metal band Slayer.

“Family, the environment and heavy metal [music] were his passions,” Ms Revi-Peart said.

She also made an emotional plea to the public to be careful on the roads.

“It’s always one of those ‘it’s going to happen to somebody else’ and I’m sure someone’s going to think the same [again].”

Mr Henderson also sustained serious injuries in the crash and was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital for treatment.

He lost his licence for 12 months.