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A Utah man has been charged in connection with a fatal car crash in New Zealand that resulted in the death of his wife and two friends.

New Zealand authorities reached an agreement to allow 56-year-old Richard Barnett of Richfield to pay a $4,500 fine and then return to the United States without serving jail time.

New Zealand Police say Barnett was charged with three counts of careless driving causing death.

Kenneth Thomas, a regional leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, says Barnett is expected home this week.

In the March 11 crash, Barnett's wife and a married couple from Utah they were with on vacation died.

New Zealand Police say in a news release it appears Barnett turned his SUV into the path of an oncoming truck.