Health
1News

'Boy' star James Rolleston emotionally speaks of his close friend's injuries and possibility of prison

October 23, 2017

James and his family went through restorative justice with his 'brother' Caleb, who was injured in the 2016 car crash.

It's tough for Kiwi actor James Rolleston to speak about the aftermath of the car accident that almost claimed his and his close friend's life. 

Rolleston was driving in Opotiki last year, over corrected going around a corner and crashed.

Both him and Kaleb Maxwell, who described Rolleston as his 'brother' were left with horrific injuries. 

"People that suffer from a car accident aren’t the only ones who suffer," Rolleston said on TVNZ1's Sunday Special, Wait For Me Hollywood

The documentary follows Rolleston and his family to restorative justice with Kaleb and his family. 

"I'd just like to apologise to our bro Kaleb and his family. The decision I made on that night was a poor decision," he said. 

Kaleb suffered five broken vertebrae, a lacerated kidney, a dislocated sternum and collapsed lungs.

"I just felt damaged, that I injured my mate."

"If he hadn't survived, I honestly don't think I’d be here today," Rolleston said.  

But when asked if the accident had changed their relationship, Mr Maxwell said "it hasn't changed at all". 

"We're just like family, brothers. More than friends."

Rolleston emotionally spoke on the documentary, saying the realisation he could have faced prison time was hard to hear. 

At Rolleston's sentencing for a charge of dangerous driving causing injury, the judge told Rolleston, "We are all entitled to make one mistake in our lives, you have made yours".

He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 200 hours of community service in August this year. 

Watch Wait For Me Hollywood here. 

The much-loved young Kiwi star of 'Boy' and 'Goodbye Pork Pie' opens up to TVNZ1's Sunday.

Need to talk? 1737 – Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor
Lifeline – 0800 543 354
Youthline - 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz
Samaritans – 0800 726 666
Healthline – 0800 611 116
Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 or free text 4202 or www.depression.org.nz
The Lowdown: A website to help young New Zealanders recognise and understand depression or anxiety. www.thelowdown.co.nz or free text 5626
SPARX.org.nz – Online e-therapy tool provided by the University of Auckland that helps young people learn skills to deal with feeling down, depressed or stressed
OUTLine NZ – 0800 688 5463 for support related to sexual orientation or gender identity

SHARE ME