East Ballina‘s Lovepreet Singh to fight charges after highway crash death of Lindendale farmer Peter Johnston

The trial of a North Coast man who has blamed a “Covid-induced blackout” for a horror crash which snatched the life of a much-loved local farmer is up in the air. Here’s the latest.

Lovepreet Singh (second from left) is fighting charges. He is pictured with supporters outside Lismore Courthouse.

The trial of a North Coast man who has blamed a “Covid-induced blackout” for causing a deadly highway crash is up in the air yet again.

East Ballina’s Lovepreet Singh, 30, has pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing death and negligent driving causing death following the horrific Bruxner Highway collision on January 8, 2022.

The two-vehicle crash at Uralba – allegedly caused by Singh’s manner of driving – resulted in the death of Lindendale farmer Peter Johnston, 61.

Peter Johnston lost his life in the highway crash. Picture: Supplied

Mr Johnston died at the scene and the highway was closed for hours as police investigated.

Singh, who was also badly injured, appeared in person in Lismore District Court surrounded by relatives for a hearing regarding the date of his trial.

Several members of Mr Johnston’s family also attended on Monday, expecting the trial to begin, but left disappointed.

Singh is now working with a third legal representative after his last lawyer advised the court of “availability issues”.

A defence lawyer accused the prosecution of filing faults and said she only learned of the intention to push back the trial via email last Friday.

Lovepreet Singh outside Lismore Courthouse for a previous appearance.

The court was told there was a “serious failure” by the prosecution in “failing to act” and “failing to notify”.

In late August, the prosecution was working to verify elements of Singh’s claim he suffered a “Covid-induced blackout” – lawyers wanted to verify tests and check medical records.

This week, it was heard in the court that a cardiologist report could not answer all the prosecution’s questions and more reports could be obtained, including from a neurologist and an infectious disease expert.

The defence argued “it is not a case where the Crown cannot get the information they need.

But a prosecutor said “the cardiologist aspects and Covid are inexplicably entwined” – and the defence did not provide the report until this month.

The hearing is due to resume on Friday.

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