Shocking footage has been aired in court of the moments after a golf cart driven by newlywed husband Robbie Awad overturned on Hamilton Island, killing his new wife Marina.
Awad appeared in Proserpine Magistrates’ Court in north Queensland on Thursday, flanked by half a dozen supporters and celebrity lawyer Bryan Wrench, and wearing a rosary around his neck.
Awad pleaded guilty to three charges, namely that the couple were not wearing a seatbelt and were using a mobile phone, but is contesting one charge, namely driving inattentive causing death.
Bodycam footage was first aired in court immediately after the June 30, 2022, incident, in which Awad can be heard sobbing to police, “I’m sorry. I didn’t listen to her. I didn’t listen to her.”
“She said to me, ‘Put your phone down!’ I said, ‘What’s the worst that can happen? We’re going 3 mph.’”
“We turned around and it started steaming. F***ing hell, f***ing hell.”
Barrister Phil Boulton SC told the court the phone was ‘back in his pocket at the time of the crash’.
In the bodycam video, Awad said Marina was “too good to me – she always did the right thing. She was the most caring…”
He asked the police, “What are the chances? [of a crash]’The chance of that happening is not that great.’
Robbie Awad (center) arrives at court with an entourage of supporters, including celebrity attorney Bryan Wrench. Awad had a rosary around his neck
Awad is pictured with his wife Marina on their wedding day
A police officer replied, “They [the island’s famous buggies] tip quite freely.’
Awad then described how the buggy started to go faster and faster and how Marina fell out of the buggy and hit her head when it made a U-turn.
‘The thing wasn’t moving fast, but then it started to accelerate – that’s when we made the turn.
“She came out and hit her head. How did it not land anywhere else – but on her head? I can’t believe this is happening.”
The police officer then told Awad that the golf cart is a “completely different” vehicle than a car.
“I can’t believe she’s dead,” Awad said. “How the hell did that happen?”
Mr Boulton argued that Awad was driving carefully and tried to turn around because the battery was low.
Mr Boulton claimed the vehicle was ‘crawling’ when Awad made the U-turn and that the groom, in an attempt to accelerate, had pressed the accelerator.
A large group of supporters flanked Awad as he arrived at Prosperine Magistrates Court
Golf carts are widely used by Hamilton Island guests to explore the island
However, Mr Boulton claimed the vehicle suddenly came back to life, sending Mrs Hanna flying from the buggy and the accident happened ‘tragically’.
“He will say he was driving no faster than 2-3 km per hour,” Mr Boulton said.
‘He had to put his foot on the gas pedal to even get it going. In the bend, the vehicle accelerates completely unexpectedly.
“The time between acceleration and the tipping point is two seconds, if that. By that time the situation is completely irreparable.”
The hearing is expected to last at least two days and will continue.