New and alarming details emerged today in the Perth Children’s Court regarding the tragic car crash that resulted in the death of talented footballer Nick Campo. The court revealed that a combination of cocaine use, the absence of seatbelts, and a reckless rush to reach a nightclub contributed to the incident, which occurred in July in North Lake.
Campo, celebrating his 18th birthday, was eager to arrive at Leederville’s Daisy nightclub before the midnight lockout when he got into the vehicle. The P-plate driver, whose name is withheld for legal reasons, was not under the influence of alcohol, but cocaine was detected in his system.
The court heard that the driver ran a red light and reached speeds of 133 km/h on North Lake Road, similar speeds recorded just moments before the collision on Farrington Road. The crash led to Campo’s untimely death and left three other passengers in the vehicle injured.
Witnesses noted that the Toyota Hilux involved in the accident was owned by the driver’s father and had been modified in a dangerous manner. Notably, the front passenger seat was improperly installed, twisted 180 degrees to face backwards, rendering seatbelt usage impossible. As a result, the only person wearing a seatbelt during the incident was the driver himself.
The teenage driver has since pleaded guilty to the charges against him and has voluntarily forfeited his bail. He is slated to be sentenced next month. This case has drawn attention to the risks associated with young drivers, especially when reckless driving and substances impair judgement.