Lauren Jean Willgoose ordered to stand trial over crash which killed top neuropsychologist Tony Walsh

The driver charged over a hit-run crash which claimed the life of a top SA neuropsychologist allegedly had alcohol in her system, court hears.

A woman charged over a hit-run crash which killed one of South Australia’s top neuropsychologists allegedly had a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 or more at the time of the crash, a court has heard.

Lauren Jean Willgoose, 29, of Cumberland Park appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday where she was ordered to stand trial in the District Court after pleading not guilty not guilty to two driving charges, including a count of aggravated causing death by dangerous driving.

She allegedly struck Tony Walsh while he was walking along Goodwood Rd near the Capri Theatre on June 30, 2021, and allegedly had a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or more.

At the time of the crash, police alleged she fled the scene.

Mr Walsh, 70, died in hospital nine days after the crash.

Lauren Willgoose leaves the Adelaide Magistrate Court. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

Neuropsychologist Tony Walsh, 70, died in hospital nine days after he was struck while walking on Goodwood Rd last year. Picture: Supplied

Prosecutors had asked for an adjournment before Ms Willgoose entered her pleas because a post-mortem report had not yet been filed, but Magistrate John Wells said it was in both her, and the community’s, best interests to “move the matter along”

Ms Willgoose’s lawyer, Deslie Billich, said there may be an issue about the “causation” of the crash.

“The victim didn’t die at the scene of the accident, he actually died a period of some week or two later,” she said.

“There may be an issue in relation to some of that … in terms of the causation.”

Mr Walsh, 70, and his wife, clinical psychologist Christine Walsh, spent more than two decades working together at their North Adelaide practice, Walsh Psychology.

Three of his colleagues, longstanding neuropsychologists Dr Colin Field, Dr Andrew Rothwelll and Dr Tony Kneebone previously paid tribute to Mr Walsh, saying he was a “deep thinker” who genuinely cared about his profession and was driven by the people he served.

Ms Willgoose will next appear in court in June.