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Writer's pictureJon Ruwolt
2 days ago3 min read

Family forgives tourist driver

A 28-year-old Italian tourist accused of causing the deaths of an elderly couple and their daughter in a road crash in South Australia's Mid North last year, has appeared in court for sentence.

Crash scene at intersection of Templeton and Blyth Rd, near Lochiel (Channel 9)
Crash happened at Blyth Rd and Templeton Rd intersection, where signage is now improved.
Key points:

  • Three people died when the campervan Gabriele Cairo was driving hit a car in the state's Mid North last year

  • Mr Cairo and his wife were also injured, and he was charged with dangerous driving offences

  • His lawyer told the court he was on a tourist visa


Gabriele Cairo faced the Adelaide Magistrates Court over a Mid North crash that killed three people.

Gabriele Cairo was charged with death by dangerous driving and causing serious harm by dangerous driving, after allegedly crashing a hire campervan into another car on October 31, 2023, at Everard Central on the Blyth Road.


At the time, emergency services were called to the intersection of Templeton and Blyth roads, where 84-year-old Clare woman Cynthia Clark, and her 54-year-old daughter Jacquie, from Jamestown, both died at the scene.

Jacqueline Clark, 54, and her parents John Clark, 86, and Cynthia Clark, 84, all died. (Nine)

Cynthia Clark's husband, 86-year-old John Clark, was airlifted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, but died a week later.


Mr Cairo, who was driving the van, sustained minor injuries, but his 26-year-old wife Elena Perrone was also airlifted to hospital with serious injuries.


Ms Perrone on Wednesday attended court with Mr Cairo, along with other family members who had travelled from Italy. Judge Muscat said it was not a case in which the driver was travelling at excessive speed or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

"Based on all of these considerations, particularly your favourable subjective circumstances, I am satisfied that good reason exists to suspend your sentence," he said.

Cairo quietly cried as he sat in the dock listening to Judge Muscat hand down the sentence.


The court previously heard Cairo was not speeding, nor was he on the phone, when he failed to give way and drove through the intersection of Templeton and Blyth roads at Everard Central.

Cairo, whose wife Elena Perrone was badly injured in the crash, also pleaded guilty to one count of causing harm by dangerous driving.


Family 'feels sorry' for driver

On Friday, spokesperson for the Clark family, Jon Reinke, said he "respected" the judgement, and that it was "the right decision".

Jon Reinke spoke on behalf of the Clark family. (ABC News)

"There's no point in sending somebody like him, Gabriele, to jail, there's no rhyme nor reasoning for that," he said.

"I feel sorry for him and his wife, there's no point in having a vendetta. Anger can consume you in my opinion.

"I wish them all the best in their return to Italy.

"We've all got to move forward."

Gabriele Cairo (right) and his wife Elena Perrone speaking with the victims' family spokesperson Jon Reinke. (ABC News)

A tearful Ms Perrone told the media outside court she had spoken to the Clark family and was "grateful" to them.

"I'm glad they understood and they forgive us," she said.

"We're glad we can go home."


Cairo's defence lawyer, Michael Woods, said the Clark family showed "great empathy" during what he said was a "very difficult" case for the Italian couple.

"Gabriele and his wife will never forget the Clark family," he said.

Cairo, whose visa was extended as he faced court proceedings, is expected to return to Italy.


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