NewsBite

James Bryson charged after double-fatal crash at Willalooka

A Padthaway man has been charged after a shocking double-fatal crash in the state’s South-East.

Two killed in Willalooka crash (7NEWS)

A Padthaway man has been charged after a double-fatal crash in the state’s South-East at the weekend.

Emergency services were called to the intersection of Riddoch Highway and McGrice Road, Willalooka, about 9.40am on Saturday after reports a Toyota ute and a Ford Territory had collided.

Two people in the Ford, the 77-year-old man driving and a 65-year-old woman, both from Victoria, died at the scene.

The alleged driver of the Toyota, a 21-year-old Padthaway man identified as James Bryson, was taken to the Mount Gambier Hospital with serious injuries.

Paramedics at the intersection of the Riddoch Highway and McGrice Road, where the crash occurred. Picture: 7NEWS
Paramedics at the intersection of the Riddoch Highway and McGrice Road, where the crash occurred. Picture: 7NEWS
James Bryson of Padthaway. Picture: Facebook
James Bryson of Padthaway. Picture: Facebook
The scene of the double fatal on the Riddoch Highway, Willalooka. Picture: Russell Millard
The scene of the double fatal on the Riddoch Highway, Willalooka. Picture: Russell Millard

On Monday, Major Crash officers arrested the Padthaway man and charged him with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

He was granted bail to appear in Naracoorte Magistrates Court in January.

The couple are the 99th and 100th lives lost on South Australian roads this year compared to 61 at the same time last year.

Mr Bryson recently celebrated his 21st birthday in September with his mum Karen Bryson sharing photos of her son lining up for the Padthaway Lions Football Club and wearing a St Peter’s College uniform.

The busy Riddoch Highway links travellers through to Mount Gambier, taking motorists through wine country on well-marked roads.

Willalooka locals told The Advertiser they had not experienced any issues with the Riddoch Highway, where caravans and trucks number almost as many as cars on a Sunday.

The Victorian couple’s deaths were the 99th and 100th deaths on South Australian roads.

After the death of Police Commissioner Grant Stevens’s son Charlie Stevens at 7.01pm on Saturday night the road toll is now 101, compared with 61 at the same time last year.

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-sa/james-bryson-charged-after-doublefatal-crash-at-willalooka/news-story/39d3b3273288a38547d166d4058b1910