US driver denies causing fatal headon crash

KAIKOHE: The young foreign driver accused of causing a double fatality in Northland has denied being on the wrong side of the road and will be allowed to leave New Zealand before a trial.

It emerged in the Kaikohe District Court yesterday that United States citizen Reiss Martin Berger (21) had been in New Zealand on his first visit only hours before the crash about 11pm on Monday.

He had flown from Melbourne, where he is studying, to spend an extended Easter break with his partner Dita Cavdarbasha, also from the US but studying in Auckland.

The couple rented a car and set out for Matauri Bay in the Far North.

About three hours north of Auckland, police allege Berger had a ‘‘momentary lapse’’ and the car he was driving crossed the centre line on State Highway 10 and hit another vehicle headon.

The impact killed James Hamiora and Yvarn Tepania, who were in the front seats, and injured two others in the back of the car.

Berger is charged with careless driving causing the two deaths, and three charges of causing injury — including to Cavdarbasha.

Berger’s lawyer, Mike Dodds, said the crash was a ‘‘tragedy’’ for all involved — not only those killed but his client, who was ‘‘a young man of good character from a good family’’.

Berger denied being on the wrong side of the road and had insisted the other car had crossed the centre line.

‘‘Mr Berger and his partner are adamant they were on the lefthand side of the road.’’

The police investigation was still in its early stages and the summary of facts before the court was — at this stage — in draft form.

Bail was a certainty because of the type of charges, but there was argument over whether police should return Berger’s passport to allow him to return to Melbourne for university studies.

Police were opposed to Berger being able to travel, citing previous foreign drivers involved in serious crashes who had left the country and not returned for court hearings.

Mr Dodds said: ‘‘This is not someone who is going to disappear. He has nowhere to disappear to. He will be here every time he is obliged to be here.

‘‘He is treating this incredibly seriously and so is his family.’’

He pointed out to Judge John McDonald that Berger’s father, Eric, was in court to support his son.

Berger’s partner, Ms Cavdarbasha, was also present with one arm in a cast.

The court had also received an affidavit from Eric Berger, an attorney from New Jersey, who offered assurances his son would attend and that a plane ticket could be bought that day to show willingness.

Judge McDonald said jail was ‘‘highly unlikely’’, given the charges faced, but they were serious enough to form the basis of an extradition request to the United States if Berger did not return.

He said Berger could retain his passport and return to Australia to continue his studies until the next hearing.

‘‘If you do not return, you will be subject to extradition.’’ — NZME