National

Ute driver charged with killing two men while drunk

By AAP Newswire

Jun 1, 2023

Police tape. — Police are investigating whether two men were lying on the road when they were fatally hit by a ute. -AAP Image

A 27-year-old ute driver accused of running over and killing two men while intoxicated on the NSW South Coast has been released from custody on the condition he does not get behind the wheel.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

Nathan Peter Bernhard was allegedly over the blood alcohol limit when he ran over and killed two men, aged 36 and 41, at North Nowra about 7pm on Wednesday.

He faced court on Thursday charged with serious driving offences and was granted bail on the condition he does not occupy the driver's seat of a motor vehicle or attempt to contact any prosecution witnesses.

"Police were told the men were lying on the road when they were run over by a utility," police said in a statement.

Bystanders rendered first aid until paramedics arrived, but both men died at the scene.

Police said Bernhard was breath-tested at the scene and returned a positive result.

He was arrested and taken to Nowra Police Station, where he underwent a breath analysis, before being taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

He was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death, negligent driving occasioning death and driving with middle-range prescribed concentration of alcohol.

The North Nowra man will live at a local residence and appear in court again on August 9.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press