Templeton sent what was the first of several incriminating videos that day, telling an associate he was off to the pub and might be intoxicated later. During the journey Mr Stephens recorded a video, yelling "we’re running from the cops" as Templeton could be seen crossing the centre line. A couple of kilometres later, Templeton approached a right-hand bend, with a 75kmh speed advisory, at up to 127kmh. Templeton was ejected and ended up unconscious in a ditch, while Mr Stephens landed face down in the field. Members of the public applied first aid until emergency services arrived but Mr Stephens died at the scene.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 24, 2026 15:35 UTC