Mark Andrew Burgess faces court for first time charged over death of Blair Athol woman in Golden Grove crash
A man accused of causing a fatal Golden Grove crash allegedly provided “false” information to renew his suspended licence, court documents say, as the victim is revealed.
Police & Courts
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A driver who allegedly killed a woman waiting at a stop light in Golden Grove provided “false” information to get his licence back and was involved in a rear-end crash moments before the fatal smash, court documents allege.
Mark Andrew Burgess, of Hillbank, appeared in court for the first time on Monday over the three-car collision in February, which killed 32-year-old Blair Athol woman Kirsten Rawolle.
Court documents released to The Advertiser allege Mr Burgess, 62, was involved in three “at-fault” historical crashes prior to the fatal crash.
They say a medical review of Mr Burgess’ licence was undertaken in 2022 after a police request following one of the three crashes and he was medically suspended from driving.
Police investigations revealed his driver’s licence was reinstated after filling out a form and undergoing an examination by a GP and he was deemed medically fit to drive.
However, police prosecutors will allege Mr Burgess knowingly provided “false and misleading” information to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles in relation to his medical fitness to drive.
Ms Rawolle was the “cherished and loving daughter” of Mark and Jenny, a tribute published in The Advertiser in March said, and a “dearly loved” long-term partner to Adrian.
She also had two younger siblings, Tessa and Joel.
Ms Rawolle, who was driving a Hyundai, died at the scene of the crash at the intersection of Atlantis Drive and The Grove Way on Wednesday, February 28.
It will be alleged Mr Burgess was driving approximately 80km/h in a “culpably negligent manner and/or recklessly” at the time of the crash.
The documents allege Mr Burgess was involved in a rear-end accident just minutes before the fatal crash.
The 62-year-old is alleged to have collided with the rear end of a Toyota RAV4 twice while heading along The Grove Way around 12.09pm.
The driver of the Toyota was unharmed in the crash, but it is alleged Mr Burgess then drove past the car before a minute later allegedly colliding with a blue Hyundai Elantra sedan.
The documents alleged Mr Burgess mounted the kerb before hitting the Hyundai’s driver’s side, forcing it into a silver Toyota Corolla waiting at the red light at the intersection.
The driver of the Toyota sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Mr Burgess is charged with driving in a reckless or dangerous manner, failing to stop and provide particulars to a person at a crash scene, causing death by dangerous driving and causing harm by dangerous driving.
He is yet to enter a plea to any charge before the court.
Magistrate David White in Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Monday described the allegations as “very serious” and remanded Mr Burgess on continuing bail until his next appearance in September.
Flower tributes left at the scene contained notes with heartfelt messages for Ms Rawolle.
On one card was a message left by a person claiming to have been a first responder at the crash.
“I want you to know that I was first at the scene and I was with her,” the person wrote.
“May she forever RIP knowing I did all I could. My sincere thoughts and condolences to you all.”
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