Shannon James Murray: Gold Coast man charged with fatal Tweed Heads crash

A Gold Coast man charged with killing a North Coast driver in a high-speed crash could see a last-minute change of charges, a court has heard.

The barrister of a man charged with allegedly killing another North Coast driver in a high-speed crash has told the court he is attempting to downgrade a manslaughter charge before it heads to trial.

Gold Coast man Shannon James Murray, 30, was mentioned in Lismore District Court on Monday for his alleged involvement in a fatal Tweed Heads crash.

Murray has previously pleaded not guilty to manslaughter, aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death by speeding 45 km/h over the limit, and failing to stop and assist after a motor vehicle impact causing death.

It is alleged Murray was driving on the Pacific Highway, near Kennedy Drive in Tweed Heads, when he crashed into another car on August 4, 2020.

He was allegedly travelling at 200km/h in a 100 zone in a Mazda 3 when he crashed into a Kia hatchback.

Police will allege Shannon James Murray was travelling at 200km/h in a 100 zone in a Mazda 3 when he crashed into a Kia hatchback, killing its driver. Picture: Supplied.

The Kia driver, 47-year-old Steven Morris, died at the scene.

Police allege Murray and his 19-year-old passenger, who is not facing charges, left the scene before emergency crews arrived.

They were found a short time later on Kennedy Drive.

The court had been told in November last year the matter would proceed to trial in August this year.

However, barrister Simon Apps said on Monday he was going to have “one more attempt” to downgrade the manslaughter charge into an aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death charge.

Given that, Judge Jeffery McLennan adjourned the matter for mention on August 26 at Lismore District Court.