Callum Lee Thorne to answer to charges he killed siblings Isaac and Keziah Eykelenburg in Nangwarry crash
Callum Thorne, 22, has been charged with two counts of cause death by dangerous driving for the crash at Nangwarry on the South Australian-Victorian border in October 2024.
The collision took the lives of siblings Isaac, 5, and Keziah Eykelenburg, 15.
During a hearing at Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday, prosecutors confirmed they would proceed with the charges, though two separate counts of causing harm by dangerous driving were withdrawn.
Prosecutors allege the children were killed when Mr Thorne crashed his Nissan ute into the rear end of the Eykelenburg family's Toyota.
The carnage unfolded on the Riddoch Highway after a black Holden sedan first collided with an emu.
'A grey Toyota station wagon braked to avoid the collision, while a white Nissan ute crashed into the rear of the Toyota,' South Australian Police said at the time.
Parents Chris and Paula Eykelenburg and two other children – a girl, 13, and boy, aged six – were also taken to hospital and treated for minor injuries.
The female driver and sole occupant of the black Holden did not suffer any injuries after hitting the emu.
In earlier court appearances, prosecutors alleged Mr Thorne used his phone at the time of the collision, though Mr Thorne denies this.
Mr Thorne appeared in court via videolink from Mt Gambier in South Australia's southeast.
His matter was heard in Adelaide because he is the son of a sheriff who works at the Mt Gambier court.
Defence lawyer Nicholas Healy, for Mr Thorne, said no pleas or negotiations had commenced with the prosecution.
Magistrate Simon Smart listed September 9 for the answer charge hearing – where Mr Thorne will plead either guilty or not guilty to the charges.
Following the crash, Mr Eykelenburg thanked the emergency services for their response to the horrific event.
'I can't thank the emergency services enough,' he said.
'They've done a fantastic job.'
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