Anthony Herr in court over crash that killed Largs Bay grandmother at Birkenhead

A Largs Bay grandmother was on her way to collect hot chips for her granddaughter when her Toyota collided with a Holden, killing her instantly, a court has heard.

An elderly woman was travelling with her five-year-old granddaughter to collect hot chips when she was hit and killed allegedly by an unlicensed driver, a court has heard.

Anthony Herr, 33, appeared in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with causing death by dangerous driving and driving unlicensed over the fatal crash at Birkenhead.

The court heard Herr, of Woodville West, was behind the wheel of a Holden sedan that collided with a Toyota at the intersection of Semaphore Rd and Fletcher Rd about 5.30pm on October 17.

A police prosecutor told the court the 80-year-old victim was in the car with her granddaughter travelling to collect hot chips when the crash happened. She died at the scene.

Police and emergency services at the scene of a serious crash on corner of Semaphore Road and Fletcher Road at Birkenhead. Picture Dean Martin

“Witnesses say they observed a Holden sedan travelling very fast before colliding with the other vehicle,” the police prosecutor said.

The court heard Mr Herr’s driver’s licence was disqualified in 2007, his P1 licence cancelled in 2013, and his learner’s permit expired in September 2019.

Mr Herr sobbed in the dock as his lawyer Kate Budzynski sought her client’s release on bail.

Ms Budzynski told Magistrate David McLeod that Mr Herr had fully co-operated with police and not tried to “run away” from the charges.

“He tried to contact police immediately to organise an interview and contacted our office in an attempt to speak with police,” she said.

“Major crash were not in a hurry to meet with Mr Herr but attended the arranged meeting last night.”

Mr McLeod granted Mr Herr bail to face court again in December.