Driver of truck in horror South-Eastern Freeway crash that injured nine arrested, allegedly had no licence

The driver whose truck caused the horrific crash at the bottom of the freeway on Sunday has appeared in court – where he was allowed to leave the state.

The Queensland truck driver who allegedly ploughed through the major intersection at the bottom of the South Eastern Freeway has been granted bail.

Appearing in the Adelaide Magistrates Court via video link, Ross Phillip Hicks, 60, of Forest Glen, was granted bail and allowed to return to his Queensland home, on the Sunshine Coast.

No driving restrictions were set as part of Mr Hicks’ bail conditions.

He was required to report weekly to the police station each Wednesday, beginning next week, and ordered to return to court in December.

Police prosecutors did not oppose his release on bail and asked for a 20-week adjournment to gather evidence. Olivia Fantis, for Mr Hicks, did not oppose the adjournment “given the nature of the matter”.

Mr Hicks’ wife of 38 years was present in the courtroom. She did not comment as she left court.

Mr Hick’s allegedly failed to stop on the freeway downtrack at the Glen Osmond and Portrush roads intersection, crashing into seven cars and a bus.

He is yet to enter pleas to 14 charges including endangering life, eight counts of causing harm by dangerous driving and unauthorised person drive motor vehicle on road.

Court documents reveal allegations that he drove “at a speed which was dangerous to any person” and allegedly “drove a motor vehicle of a particular class” on the freeway “when not authorised to drive such a motor vehicle”.

The documents further allege Mr Hicks did not drive the truck “in a gear that was low enough to enable the Mitsubishi FK61F rigid truck to be driven safely on that length of road without the use of a primary brake”.

Ross Phillip Hicks is seen outside the Adelaide watch house with his wife and supporters. Picture: David Mariuz

Major crash at the freeway near the toll gate. Picture: Keryn Stevens

All of the injured were rushed to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries – the state’s top traffic cop Bob Gray said that no one died was “miraculous”.

On Tuesday evening, Major Crash Investigators with officers from the heavy vehicle enforcement section arrested Mr Hicks.

The crash sparked pleas for safety reforms at the freeway bottleneck, including the installation of a third arrester bed for truck drivers unable to stop in the steep descent.

Adelaide Hills advocates said the freeway was dated, and major reforms are needed, such as removing heavy vehicles from the busy thoroughfare altogether.

Independent member of Kavel Dan Cregan, who represents residents in the Hills and surrounds, wrote to Premier Peter Malinauskas and Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis on Monday.

“Without further investment there is a real risk more people will lose their lives at this very dangerous intersection,” Mr Cregan said in a statement.

“I was gutted when the former minister abandoned the GlobeLink proposal.

“We need to be looking at completing an Adelaide Hills Freight bypass as well as a further arrester bed and changes to traffic management measures.”

CFS and emergency services at the scene of the freeway crash on Sunday. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Other Hills representatives including Adelaide Hills Mayor Jan-Claire Wisdom, and SA’s Transport Action Group echoed the calls for reforms to keep up with the growing population using the freeway.

The GlobeLink plan was announced in 2017 by the former Liberal government, but it was scrapped after report found it would be of minimum benefit.

The intersection was closed for most of Sunday but partially opened on Monday while traffic lights were repaired.

Anyone with further information on the crash should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.