Driver in Nick Campo fatal crash was on cocaine, ‘grossly’ speeding in burnout modded vehicle, court told

The teenager behind the wheel in the horrific car crash that killed young footballer Nick Campo was on cocaine, “grossly” speeding and the only person in the vehicle wearing a seatbelt, a court has been told. Mr Campo had just had his 18th birthday party and was on his way to a nightclub with four friends when the tragedy unfolded on Farrington Road, North Lake, just before midnight on July 13, 2024. The driver, who cannot be identified because he was 17 at the time, last month pleaded guilty to all six serious charges against him, including manslaughter. But ahead of sentencing next month, his defence team and the State disputed key facts before Perth Children’s Court president Hylton Quail on Monday. Prosecutor James Nicholls revealed the group left the celebration in North Coogee at 11.21pm and were trying to get to Daisy’s in Leederville before the shut-out time, believing it was midnight, but it was actually 1am. Mr Nicholls said the now 18-year-old went through at least one red light, with the Uber driver who was taking two other partygoers to the venue estimating the Toyota Hilux was doing “at least” 100km. Data from three mobile phones within the vehicle was extracted after the crash and used to determine location and speed, showing speeds as high as 133km/h had been reached in 70km/h zones, he said. The Hilux lost control on a sweeping bend, rolling and smashing head-on into a black Jeep Patriot SUV. Mr Nicholls said the driver had not consumed any alcohol, but he had low levels of cannabis in his system, while his cocaine level was high enough to cause reckless behaviour. The prosecutor said he understood that while the driver was wearing a seatbelt, Mr Campo and the other passengers - Tyler Rowe and Josh Jackson, both aged 18, and a 17-year-old boy - were not. It was possible, however, that Mr Rowe was wearing a seatbelt, the prosecutor said. The Toyota had modifications “for burnouts” including the installation of a “spinner knob” aimed at drivers with limited mobility and strength. And the front suspension stabiliser bar, which reduces roll when turning, was missing. Among the disputed facts was whether the driver went through a second red light, but Judge Quail said they did not require a trial of issues as they would not affect the sentence. He said the young man, who has been in Banksia Hill Juvenile Detention Centre since voluntarily surrendering bail in early November, had admitted his driving was reckless. Judge Quail said he had been driving “grossly over the speed limit”, which was “very dangerous”. It was the responsibility of all drivers to ensure passengers were wearing seatbelts, he said.