Taxi driver Amanpreet Singh stands trial accused of causing death of drunk pedestrian while fatigued behind the wheel
A taxi driver ploughed through a drunk pedestrian, without realising he had caused a fatality, because he was so tired and distracted he had become “oblivious”, a court has heard.
A taxi driver was so fatigued and distracted that he “ploughed through” a drunk pedestrian and was “oblivious” to the fatality until after it happened, a court has heard.
On Tuesday, prosecutors urged a District Court jury to find Amanpreet Singh had killed Manjit Dhadwal by driving dangerously.
Prosecutor Michael Foundas conceded Mr Dhadwal, 61, was intoxicated when he tried to cross all six lanes of Anzac Highway in the dark on a rainy night two years ago.
However, he said that in no way excused Singh’s complete failure to react to his presence, despite having 180m in which to take evasive action.
“There is no evidence of even a failed attempt to avoid the collision — no braking, no swerving, nothing,” he said.
“Singh simply ploughed Mr Dhadwal, oblivious to his presence until after the fatal collision.
“Mr Dhadwal was significantly intoxicated (but) it’s our case that just because someone is drunk doesn’t mean they can be mowed down by a passing motorist with immunity.”
Singh, 30, of Seaton, has pleaded not guilty to causing Mr Dhadwal’s death, by dangerous driving, in November 2017.
Opening the trial, Mr Foundas said the fatal collision occurred around 10.50pm on a Wednesday night during “poor” weather conditions and low lighting.
He said Mr Dhadwal was dressed in dark clothing as he drunkenly tried to cross the highway — Singh, meanwhile, was “falling asleep” at the wheel of his taxi.
“In the lead-up to the collision, Singh was distracted and playing with his phone and the monitor of his taxi computer system,” he said.
“(The taxi’s cameras) show he was involuntarily falling asleep … there is at least one clear example of his head dropping down as he falls asleep.
“His fatigue was such that it likely impaired his functioning, his ability to concentrate, to focus, to see pedestrians on the road.”
Mr Foundas said crash reconstruction experts would give evidence that Singh was 380m from the point of impact when Mr Dhadwal started crossing the highway.
“Perhaps more importantly, he was 180m away when Mr Dhadwal stepped onto his (Singh’s) side of the road,” he said.
“There were 180m for Singh to have seen Mr Dhadwal, to brake or react in some way if he had been paying proper attention — or if he had been paying attention at all.”
The trial, before Judge Barry Beazley and a jury, continues.