Nathan Thomas fronts court, charged with dangerous driving causing death

The lawyer for a teenager accused of a hit-run collision in Corio that left a 43-year-old mother dead has told a court the defence will seek its own expert reconstruction of the crash.

Police at the scene of the collision in Corio on Sunday, August 11. Picture: Mark Wilson

The lawyer for a teenager accused of a hit-run collision in Corio that left a 43-year-old mother dead has told a court the defence will seek its own expert reconstruction of the crash.

Nathan Thomas, 18, who is currently on bail, appeared in the Geelong Magistrates Court online on Tuesday for a committal mention.

He is charged with dangerous driving causing death, careless driving, failing to stop, failing to render assistance and driving while suspended over the alleged hit-run collision at the intersection of Plantation Rd and Washington St just before 7am on August 11.

Corio mother Tanya Coad was allegedly hit and left for dead in a gutter following in the incident, where she was found by nearby residents, who called triple-0.

Mr Thomas was granted bail following a hearing on August 12.

Tania Coad, 43, died in hospital after a hit-run in Geelong. Photo: Supplied.

The hearing heard the crash’s impact, which allegedly threw Ms Coad more than 20m, took place on the wrong side of the road.

Mr Thomas’ bail hearing was told he went to a friend’s place and smoked “one or two bongs” after the incident before turning himself in.

Detective Sergeant Peter Romanis of the Major Collision Investigation Unit (MCIU) told the bail hearing Thomas had completed a “burnout” at a roundabout on Plantation Rd immediately prior to the crash.

Ms Coad died in hospital on August 22.

Following Ms Coad’s death, a charge of dangerous driving causing serious injury was upgraded to dangerous driving causing death.

Mr Thomas’ lawyer, Emma Turnbull, asked the court for a “fairly lengthy” adjournment.

She said she was in the process of securing legal aid funding for an expert accident reconstruction report.

Nathan Thomas

Ms Turnbull said the earliest date such a report would be ready was early February, according to Delta V, an independent accident investigation firm.

Mr Thomas’ previous lawyer had raised questions during the prosecution’s case around what Ms Coad, who the court heard was acting “erratically”, was doing on the road at the time of the crash.

Ms Turnbull also noted a report regarding Mr Thomas had been filed with the court, and it was a “positive report”.

Magistrate Franz Holzer adjourned the matter until March 11 next year.

Originally published as Nathan Thomas fronts court, charged with dangerous driving causing death