Truck driver Ross Hicks, charged over July 2022 South-Eastern Freeway smash, pleads not guilty

A truckie charged over a shocking SE Freeway smash – in which a truck barrelled into seven vehicles at the Tollgate traffic lights – says he is not guilty.

A truck driver who allegedly ploughed through the intersection at the bottom of the South-Eastern Freeway has denied all of the charges against him and has been ordered to stand trial.

Ross Phillip Hicks, 60, of Forest Glen, appeared via phone from his Queensland home to enter pleas to 11 charges in the Adelaide Magistrates Court.

He entered the pleas to one count of endangering life, nine counts of causing harm by dangerous driving and one charge of failing to use a low gear.

He is charged over the July 24, 2022, crash at the Cross, Glen Osmond and Portrush roads intersection.

Emergency services work to release people trapped in wreckage after the July 2022 smash at the bottom of the freeway. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Accused truck driver Ross Phillip Hicks hides outside the Adelaide watch-house, supported by his wife and others, after being charged. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Police will also allege he was not authorised to drive the Mitsubishi truck, which barrelled down the freeway before crashing into a Hyundai SUV and a bus, which were stationary at the intersection.

They alleged he then continued across the intersection and crashed into another five vehicles.

At the time of the incident, police said nine people involved in the crash were injured, while another five involved were not injured.

The truck hit seven vehicles, injuring nine people. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Michael Woods, for the man, told the court his client conceded he had a case to answer and asked the matter be sent to the District Court for arraignment.

At his first appearance, Mr Hicks was granted bail to live at his Sunshine Coast home, and did not have driving restrictions placed on his licence as part of his bail conditions.

Court documents viewed at the time revealed police alleged Mr Hicks did not drive the truck “in a gear that was low enough to enable the Mitsubishi FK61F rigid truck to be driven safely on that length of road without the use of a primary brake”.

Mr Hicks has scheduled court dates in April and June.