Shane Leistra pleads not guilty over Penola crash that killed Suttontown locals Trevor and Catherine Schutz

A man who allegedly killed two people and injured a third in a three-car crash on the Riddoch Highway has pleaded not guilty and will go to trial.

A man charged with killing two people and injuring a third in a horror crash has entered his pleas – and will head to trial.

On Monday, Shane Leistra, 51, appeared in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court to plead not guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of causing serious harm by dangerous driving.

An additional count of causing serious harm by dangerous driving was withdrawn in November last year.

Trevor and Catherine Schutz from Suttontown, near Mount Gambier. Picture: Facebook

Mr Leistra, of Coonawarra, was charged following a fatal three-car crash at the intersection of Riddoch Highway and Three Mile Lane near Penola just after 5.15pm on March 31, 2024.

Suttontown locals Trevor and Catherine Schutz, 62 and 54, passengers in a black Ford sedan, died at the scene.

Mr Leistra was injured and taken to hospital, while the driver of the Tesla, a 42-year-old woman, and her 69-year-old female passenger, both from Victoria, were taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Shane Leistra was allegedly at the wheel of a ute at the time of the crash. Picture: Supplied

The fatal crash occurred near Penola at the intersection of the Riddoch Highway and Three Mile Lane. Picture: Eva Blandis

Local residents have told The Advertiser the Schutzs had been living at their Suttontown property for more than 20 years and both had a role in working on it.

It is also understood they had involvement in the local Lutheran church and are survived by two daughters.

Locals said they were “very nice” people.

During Mr Leistra’s first court appearance, police prosecutors told the court there were concerns the accused might suffer “repercussions” from the local community.

“There’s no specific threat, that I know of, against this defendant, (but) someone may know the deceased in this matter,” she said.

Mr Leistra was remanded on continuing bail, and will return to court again in July.