A Hamilton man, high on methamphetamine, ignored flashing warning lights and lowered barrier arms to drive onto a railway crossing, causing a deadly collision with an oncoming train.
Sione Nusipepa. Photo/Supplied via Sfuff
Norton Sowerby, 37, had overtaken another vehicle and ploughed through the controlled crossing on Peachgrove Road in the early hours of November 13 last year, despite pleas from his passengers.
The impact killed three of his friends instantly: Sione Leapulu Nusipepa, 23, Shylin Osborne, 28, and Sowerby’s stepfather-in-law, William Brown, 46. A fourth passenger also survived – albeit with serious injuries to his scalp, chest, spine and cheekbone.
As Kaniva News previously reported, posts on Facebook identified Sione as being Tongan.
“RIP Sione Leapulu Nusipepa kou ofa lahi atu kia koe Tani kou ofa atu kia koe moe toenga fanau”, read a tribute in Tongan, expressing deep love for Sione and his family.
Sione’s sister, Ahi, told Stuff that the tragedy has been compounded by the driver’s conduct after the crash.
She said Norton Sowerby’s initial lie about being behind the wheel and his prolonged refusal to admit guilt — a delay criticised by Justice Downs at sentencing — deepened her family’s pain.
Ahi also alleges that between the accident and the court hearing, Sowerby shouted abuse at her in central Hamilton, declaring he would be a “free man.
According to his sister, Sione was turning his life around after a tough upbringing. He had cut ties with the Mongrel Mob and was focused on being a devoted father to his four children.
The week after the crash, he was scheduled to attend a parenting course — a step his family says showed his commitment to change.
Sowerby’s counsel Nadine Baier reportedly said her client accepted that this was a case involving an “extremely sad and tragic outcome for what was appallingly bad, dangerous, and reckless split-second decision made by Mr Sowerby”.
“That decision was made by his impairment of methamphetamine to a high level, that’s accepted.”
Justice Downs allowed a 25% discount for his guilty plea before sending him to prison for eight years.
He imposed a minimum non-parole period of four years.
