Mahnoor Malik in court charged over fatal Hayborough crash that killed wheelchair passenger

A woman charged after a a tragic fatal crash cut short a respite trip on the Fleurieu has appeared in court.

Large amounts of forensic evidence need to be gathered as prosecutors build their case against a woman accused of killing a wheelchair-bound passenger during a Fleurieu respite trip, a court has heard.

Mahnoor Malik, 21, of Northfield appeared in Christies Beach Magistrates Court on Friday for the first time, in front of Magistrate Todd Grant after allegedly crashing into a tree at Hayborough, near Port Elliot, in September.

Mahnoor Malik, left, leaves Christies Beach Magistrates Court on Friday. Picture: NewsWire / Dean Martin

The crash killed 59-year-old passenger Debbie Johnston and put Ms Malik and another passenger in hospital.

Ms Malik is yet to enter any pleas since being charged with causing death by careless use of a motor vehicle and causing injury by careless use of a motor vehicle.

On Friday, a police prosecutor asked Magistrate Grant to adjourn the matter for charge determination in March next year – saying “there’s a lot of forensic evidence and forensic reports that need to be gathered”.

Police and emergency services are at the scene of a serious crash at Hayborough. Picture: Gary Juleff

Police were called to the intersection of Ocean Rd and Port Elliot Rd just after 4.30pm on Sunday, September 22, after a Toyota van – emblazoned with NDIS stickers – hit a tree.

Debbie Johnston died in the Hayborough crash. Picture: Facebook

It’s alleged Ms Malik was the driver of the vehicle, which was transporting Ms Johnston – who was in a wheelchair and died at the scene – on a respite visit to the area.

Ms Malik and the vehicle’s front passenger, a 30-year-old Croydon Park woman, were both taken to hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Shortly after, Major Crash investigators arrested and charged Ms Malik, and issued her with an instant loss of licence.

On Friday, Ms Malik and her defence counsel made no comment as they left court.

She will face Adelaide Magistrates Court in March next year.

Originally published as Mahnoor Malik in court charged over fatal Hayborough crash that killed wheelchair passenger