Driver loses fight for bail in deadly Doonside crash
An Indian national accused of killing an elderly couple in a crash at Doonside has taken his fight for bail to the Supreme Court.
Blacktown
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A man with an overseas driver’s licence accused of killing an elderly couple at a notorious Doonside intersection has lost his fight for release.
Indian national Harjinder Singh, 22, was driving a Nissan Pulsar when he allegedly failed to give way at Crawford Rd and Coveny St on August 24 and crashed, killing Frank and Carmen Sant.
Mrs Sant, 81, died at the scene, while her husband of more than 50 years, died in hospital the following day.
Mr Singh was refused bail after being charged with a string of offences, including dangerous and negligent driving occasioning death.
This week, Mr Singh took the bail decision to the Supreme Court in a bid for release, however his attempt was unsuccessful.
The matter returned to Blacktown Local Court today as police continue to investigate the deadly crash.
Mr Singh’s defence solicitor said they were awaiting a crash reconstruction from police and the details of triple 0 calls, which would be “particularly important” in the case.
The police prosecutor said they had sourced CCTV footage from a house at the intersection, which captured the Sant’s final moments.
Mr Singh is yet to enter a plea to the charges and will remain behind bars.
Police are yet to determine if speed was a factor in the crash, however, at a previous court mention, the prosecution said it was likely further charges would be laid after crash investigations were complete.
In refusing bail at a previous court appearance, Magistrate Karen Robinson found Mr Singh to be a flight risk.
Mr Singh arrived in Australia in March and had been living in a share house in Blacktown while studying a Masters in Accounting and working as a cleaner and trolleyman at Coles in Castle Hill.
The Doonside intersection, which residents claim is a known black spot, was approved for a roundabout just three days before the tragic crash. The site has been at the centre of a community campaign for improvements for several years.
The matter will return to court on November 21.