A Utah man is being allowed to return home after paying a fine for a crash that killed his wife and two friends while they were on a 'trip of a lifetime ' in New Zealand . Richard Barnett turned an SUV into the path of on oncoming truck , leading to the deaths of his wife and Mitchell and Ruth Peterson . Dr Barnett , 56 , was the only person inside the Toyota Highlander to survive the crash outside the North Island city of Hamilton . He was charged with three counts of careless driving causing death and negotiated a deal to pay $ 4,500 without serving jail time . Fined : Richard Barnett ( left ) 56 , was driving in the crash that killed his wife Tammy in New Zealand and is being allowed to return home after paying $ 4,500 for three counts of careless driving causing death . Tragic : 'Devoted ' parents Mitchell and Ruth Peterson , who had five children together , were also killed in the fatal crash . He will pay $ 3,000 for each reckless driving charge and $ 1,500 for emotional harm reparation to the truck driver . The members of the Latter-Day Saints Church , from Richfield and Monroe , Utah , were visiting a branch of the church in Hamilton before the March 11 accident , the New Zealand Herald reported . They were travelling in a convoy with other tourists who witnessed the crash when Dr Barnett turned his car onto the road where the Mormon temple is located . Dr Barnett , who is an orthodontist and city council member in Utah , suffered broken ribs and bruises to his head in the incident . His late wife Tammy and he have four children and four grandchildren together . Their son Christopher is helping his father leave New Zealand and arranging transportation of the bodies back to Utah . They are expected home this week . Scene : Their wrecked vehicle was turning onto the road with the Mormon temple the couples were visiting . Family : Dr Barnett ( left ) is an orthodontist in the Utah town . The pair ( pictured with their son Topher ) were said to be well-known and respected within the community . Richfield Mayor David Ogden told the Desert News : 'The whole valley has been affected by this . We all know them . They are so important in our lives , and so we are going to rally around the families . ' A GoFundMe page set up to cover Dr Barnett 's medical and Mrs Barnett 's funeral costs read : Our dearest wife , mother , daughter , sister , aunt , grandmother and friend Tammy tragically left us while on the trip of a lifetime to New Zealand with her beloved husband Richard . 'Tammy had an incredible energy about her and will be sorely missed . We have the unique opportunity to make this time a little easier to bear . ' The page has already raised $ 10,000 . A separate page to cover Mr and Mrs Peterson 's funeral costs read : 'Mitchell and Ruth died in a tragic car accident in New Zealand . They were on a trip of a life time . Mitch and Ruth leave five beautiful children to take on the responsibility of funeral costs . Couple : Mrs Barnett , pictured with her 'beloved ' husband in 1980 was described as a woman who had an 'incredible energy ' and will be sorely missed . Devoted parents : The Petersons , who were said to 'sacrifice everything for their children ' leave behind two sons and three daughters ranging in age from eight to 26 . 'Mitch and Ruth are the type of people you are drawn to . They would do anything for anyone and they had a contagious energy . 'They were devoted parents who would sacrifice everything for their children . As they talked about their children you could see their absolute love and devotion to them . Their children were the center of their universe . Their children , two daughters and three sons , range in age from eight to 26 . 'Mitch and Ruth cared deeply about the people in their little community . If you knew them you could n't help but love them . They called so many of us friends . 'Mitch was a great Dr who cared for all of his patients and they all could feel that love and compassion . The GoFundMe page has raised almost $ 13,000 .
Micthell and Ruth Peterson and friend Tammy Barnett from Utah , Richfield , were killed in the crash just outside of the city of Hamilton . Members of the Mormon church were in an SUV when it overturned . Mrs Barnett 's husband Richard was injured in the crash and is stable . Families are raising money to cover funeral expenses and medical costs .