A Tabulam man will be sentenced in the District Court over a horror crash on the Bruxner Highway last July that claimed the life of a woman and injured eight others.
Just after noon on July 2, William Avery was driving a Holden Commodore sedan on Plain Station Road, when he turned onto the Bruxner Highway and collided with a Toyota Landcruiser.
Emergency services raced to the scene 65km west of Casino and when they arrived they found 31 year-old Celeste Cubby had died at the scene.
Three other female passengers in the Commodore and 21 year-old Mr Avery suffered various injuries and were taken to Lismore Base Hospital, while a fifth female passenger was airlifted with serious injuries.
The 72 year-old driver of the Landcruiser and his two passengers, a 69 year-old woman and a 39 year-old man were all taken to Lismore Base Hospital with minor injuries.
On Tuesday, Mr Avery appeared at Lismore Local Court via video-link from the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre at Silverwater in Sydney.
He was represented by his solicitor Rachael Thomas.
Charges of dangerous driving occasioning death – drive under the influence, dangerous driving occasioning death – drive in a manner dangerous, negligent driving occasioning death, never licensed person driving on road and not giving way are being prosecuted by the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions, the court heard.
Ms Thomas tendered a certificate waiving Mr Avery’s right to a committal hearing in the Local Court.
The court heard the prosecution would be pursuing both the dangerous driving occasioning death charges.
She then told the court the three remaining charges would be placed on a section 166 certificate to be considered by the judge in sentencing.
Magistrate David Heilpern adjourned Mr Avery’s matters until June 7, when he will be arraigned at Lismore District Court.
He did not apply for bail and is expected to appear via video-link on the next occasion.
