Whether or not drugs are to blame for a horror Boxing Day crash, which claimed the lives of four people and left one woman fighting for her life, may never be known.
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Recovering heroin addict Craig Anthony Whitall visited a methadone clinic in Nowra on the morning of December 26 and was making the hour-long drive back to Ulladulla when he veered onto the wrong side of the Princes Highway and collided with a car carrying the Falkholt family from Ryde.
The 51-year-old was killed instantly, along with Lars Falkholt, 69 and his wife Vivian, 60.
The Falkholts' two adult daughters, Home and Away actress Jessica, 28 and Annabelle, 21 were pulled from the wreckage by passing motorists moments before both vehicles burst into flames.
Annabelle passed away at Liverpool Hospital on Friday, December 29, after family made the decision to switch off her life-support. As of Monday Jessica remained in a critical condition at St George Hospital.
It remains unclear whether an autopsy will be able to determine what drugs may have been in Mr Whitall's system at the time of the crash due to his severe injuries and trauma sustained in the subsequent fire.
The crash has sparked intense debate about the safety of drivers under the influence of drugs, which are not classed as illicit, operating a vehicle.
Methadone is an opioid and is used as a prescription drug to help curb withdrawal symptoms for recovering heroin addicts.
It is not illegal for a motorist to drive with methadone in their system, however drivers can be charged if it is proven that any substance impaired their ability to perform behind the wheel.
Mr Whitall, who is known to police, failed to negotiate a sweeping left-hand bend near the Bendalong turn-off and crashed head-on into the Falkholts' Mazda.
The Falkholts were travelling back to Sydney after a short Christmas break on the South Coast.
The crash has become the headline of a devastating festive season on the state's roads, with 28 people killed since December 15.