Ballina’s Lovepreet Singh set to fight allegations his driving caused death of Lindendale farmer Peter Johnston

An East Ballina man will fight allegations the dangerous manner of his driving resulted in the tragic highway death of a Lindendale farmer.

Right: Lovepreet Singh outside Lismore Courthouse will fight charges of Dangerous driving occ death-drive manner dangerous and Negligent driving (occasioning death).

An East Ballina man charged over a car crash on a major highway that claimed the life of a Lindendale farmer was before a Northern Rivers Court on Monday.

Lovepreet Singh, 28, was not present at his arraignment before Judge Jennifer English in Lismore District Court where formal pleas of not guilty were entered.

Singh was scheduled to a readiness hearing for the charge of dangerous driving occasioning death-drive manner dangerous at Lismore District Court on Thursday, December 14.

He has been excused from attendance at the readiness hearing.

The matter was also listed for trial, which is expected to run for five days beginning on Monday, February 12 at Lismore District Court.Singh has also been charged with negligent driving (occasioning death) over the incident which will be mentioned on the same day.

Lovepreet Singh (right) with a supporter outside Lismore Courthouse facing charges of Dangerous driving occasioning death-drive manner dangerous and Negligent driving (occasioning death).

Police allege Singh’s white Toyota Hiace van was driven in a manner which killed 60-year-old Peter Johnston on the Bruxner Highway, a short distance west of Ballina, about 2.30pm on January 8 last 2022.

Police said Singh was trapped in his van after the crash and had to be treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before he was flown to Gold Coast University Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

The highway was closed for hours after the crash as police investigated the scene.

Mr Johnston, who was a licensed builder, has been remembered as a very practical, down-to-earth bloke.

Peter Johnston, 60, of Lindendale was a licenced builder and farmer.

He featured in an online testimonial for Mahindra last year that showed him enjoying his life farming beef and bees on his 30ha family farm.

A Lismore Tractors spokesman, who regularly did business with Mr Johnston, said Peter was one of those old-school helpful people.

“He’s been a great help to us as a business,” the spokesman said.

“He has recommended people and isn’t one of those walk-in walkout customers … he was always up for a chat.”