The Dutch tourist involved in a crash that killed three people at Rakaia during the weekend, has appeared in the Christchurch District Court.
Johannes Jacobus Appelman has been charged with three counts of careless driving causing death and one count of careless driving causing injury.
Police say the Subaru the 52-year-old was driving went through a stop sign near Rakaia on Saturday, hitting a Volvo carrying a Christchurch family of three and their friend.
Mr Appelman, who suffered minor injuries in the crash, nursed his arm which was in a sling during his appearance. The court registrar remanded Mr Appelman on bail until 10 July.
Sally Summerfield, who was 49, died in the crash along with her 12-year-old daughter Ella, and Abigail Hone, who was also 12.
The driver of the Volvo, Shane Summerfield, remains in a serious but stable condition in Christchurch Hospital.
A spokesperson for the Hone family, Darren Wright, says they believe Mr Appelman is just as much a victim as they are and they have sympathy for him.