Driver in Makarewa fatal crash admits five charges

THE driver involved in a fatal crash, which killed a father and his baby daughter at Makarewa, crashed into three parked cars a month later while driving in Invercargill.

Matthew Dale Harris (22) and his 5monthold daughter, Ruby Jane Harris, died as a result of the Makarewa accident on September 2 last year.

Mr Harris’ partner and mother of Ruby, Brooke McDowellBlick, of Browns, a 17yearold girl and Samantha Maree Williams, both of Winton, were all injured in the crash.

In a police summary of facts, Wilson Prasidh Narayan (46), of Invercargill, told police that he could not explain why he crossed the road’s centre line on the day of the fatal accident, saying he may have either blacked out or fallen asleep.

However, he did express remorse.

Just over a month later, on October 16, he had the second accident.

A police spokeswoman said yesterday the fatal crash in September was a complex scene.

‘‘The investigation was in its early stages at the time of the October crash.

‘‘The serious crash investigation concluded very late last year, after which the driver was charged.’’

Narayan, a labourer, admitted five charges in relation to the fatal crash which happened on the WintonLorneville Highway (State Highway 6), about 150m north of the Makarewa Bridge, when he appeared in the Invercargill District Court yesterday.

The charges were two counts of careless or inconsiderate vehicle operation causing death, two counts of careless or inconsiderate vehicle operation causing injury, and one count of careless driving.

The police summary of facts relating to the fatal crash stated Narayan was towing a trailer while driving his car towards Winton about 3.55pm.

Three other vehicles were travelling in the opposite direction, towards Invercargill.

Narayan’s car drifted across the centre line into the southbound lane. The person driving the first car, seeing that a collision was about to occur, swerved left in an attempt to avoid a collision.

However, Narayan’s car hit the rear of the first vehicle, causing it to slide off the road and go into a ditch.

While Narayan was still in the southbound lane, his car collided headon with the second vehicle, forcing it backwards and causing it to become momentarily airborne.

While the second car was airborne, the third vehicle swerved to the right, but collided with the left and under side of the second car.

The impact caused the second car to rotate 180 degrees before it landed on the driver’s side, in the middle of southbound lane, trapping a victim who was later flown to hospital with critical injuries.

The third car, in which Mr Harris, Ms McDowallBlick and Ruby were travelling, slid across the centre line into the northbound lane after the collision with the second car.

Ms McDowallBlick was concussed and suffered superficial lacerations to her nose and hands, as well bruising to her neck, shoulder, chest and the back of her head.

Ruby, who was seated in an infant’s car seat in the back of the car, sustained ‘‘unsurvivable injuries’’ and died while being transported to the hospital. Mr Harris, sitting next to his daughter in the rear, died instantly as a direct result of the impact.

Police prosecutor Marcus McMahon said when Narayan was interviewed by police, he said he could not recall the crash happening until his airbags were deployed.

‘‘He accepts his vehicle has crossed the central line, but could not explain why.

‘‘He stated he could have either had a blackout or fallen asleep just prior the crash.’’

He said Narayan expressed genuine remorse and subsequently wrote letters of apology to the victims.

Narayan also pleaded guilty to a charge of careless driving related to another incident on October 16, 2020, when he lost the control of his vehicle and hit three parked vehicles in Tweed St.

On that occasion, he told police he might have fallen asleep after working a night shift.

Defence counsel Roger Eagles said his client was willing to attend restorative justice.

Judge Russell Walker convicted the man and remanded him on bail to be sentenced on March 9.

❛ He stated he could have either had a blackout or fallen asleep just prior the crash