Driver pleads guilty, ending trial over deadly Midwest ute rollover

A last-minute guilty plea by Nathaniel Jackman halted the scheduled trial for the August 10, 2024 ute rollover on the Geraldton-Mt Magnet Road near Yalgoo in Western Australia's remote Midwest. Jackman, 24, pleaded guilty to three counts of dangerous driving causing death and two counts of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm after the vehicle, a Toyota Hilux carrying five passengers, overturned, killing infant Levi Ashwin and women Gabrielle Brockman, 21, and Marrika Brockman, 33.

Levi's father Dwayne Ashwin and passenger Jeffrey Incich survived with serious injuries that required immediate medical care; Incich now needs round-the-clock support due to permanent disability. Court evidence showed the crash occurred after the ute traveled on the wrong side of the road, that no infant car seat or seatbelts were used, and that Jackman, who had never held a licence, tested positive for THC. Defence counsel claimed Jackman was compelled to drive after a dispute following a funeral trip, despite his lack of a valid learner's permit. He remains on bail with reporting conditions and is scheduled for sentencing in February next year.