Lovepreet Singh awarded $30k costs for delays in trial after crash death of Lindendale farmer Peter Johnston

A man claiming he suffered a covid blackout behind the wheel before the road death of a northern NSW farmer has been awarded legal costs due to ongoing delays ahead of his trial.

Lovepreet Singh, (in orange turban) with support leaving Lismore Courthouse. He remains on bail after pleading not guilty to the car crash death of a Lindendale farmer in January, 2022.

A Ballina man claiming a covid blackout behind the wheel contributed to the road death of a Lindendale farmer on the Bruxner Hwy near Uralba has been awarded legal costs for ongoing delays ahead of his trial.

Lovepreet Singh, 30, appeared in Lismore District Court for a readiness hearing on Wednesday for his upcoming trial. However, those dates have since been vacated and the courts have ordered the crown to pay costs of $30,670.39.

Right: Lovepreet Singh outside Lismore Courthouse pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving occ death-drive manner dangerous and negligent driving (occasioning death).

Judge Jonathan Priestley stayed the proceedings until the crown paid the accused costs ordered by the court. Costs were awarded due to the delay in the trial.

The Judge insisted the crown get their act together and “ready the matter” for the new adjourned trial date of March 10.

It comes after defence solicitor Jarrad McAuliffe told the court over videolink in August 2024 that Singh was ready for trial – but he was no longer available to appear for him.

Numerous adjournment applications have held up the trial with Singh struggling to find legal representation.

Cardiologist’s reports along with other documents are expected to be presented from the crown as they sought to “double check” hospital medical records.

Lovepreet Singh, left, (in orange turban) with support leaving Lismore Courthouse. He remains on bail after receiving costs for the delay in his trial for the crash death of Lindendale farmer Peter Johnston in January, 2022.

Singh pleaded not guilty on June 19 last year to dangerous driving causing death and negligent driving causing death.

It is alleged Singh’s manner of driving led to a two-vehicle crash between his white Toyota Hiace van and a ute driven by Mr Peter Johnston on the highway at Uralba, around 10 kilometres west of Ballina, on January 8, 2022.

Mr Johnston died at the scene with emergency services closing the highway for hours as police investigated.

Singh is due back in Lismore District Court for further mention on February 18.

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