Budgewoi: Rebecca Grattidge, 45, pleads not guilty to driving death of Dorothy Slade

A motorist with a “poor” traffic record has denied the dangerous driving death of an elderly woman despite being seen “swerving all over the road” just before the collision, a court has heard.

Rebecca Grattidge, 45, of Wyee, has pleaded not guilty over a fatal crash at Budgewoi in 2023. Picture: NewsLocal

A woman was under the effects of prescription medication when she was seen “swerving all over the road” moments before a fatal crash, a court has heard.

Rebecca Grattidge, 45, of Wyee, faced Wyong Local Court on Tuesday where she pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving occasioning death, negligent driving occasioning death and causing harm by misconduct while in charge of a motor vehicle.

A further charge of dangerous driving occasion death while driving under the influence was withdrawn and dismissed.

Upon entering her pleas, Grattidge’s solicitor Lucyn Manookian applied to vary her client’s bail, which she described as being akin to “home detention”.

She said Grattidge had complied with onerous conditions since being granted Supreme Court bail on August 15 last year after spending about 16 months remanded in custody.

Grattidge will face trial in Gosford District Court later this year or early 2026. Picture: NewsLocal

Ms Manookian sought to relax Grattidge’s daily police reporting conditions to three days a week and introduce a curfew that would enable her to leave the house unaccompanied to go shopping, attend appointments or go for a walk during the day.

Her existing bail conditions meant she was unable to leave the house unless in the company of her elderly parents and Ms Manookian said now her client had formally entered pleas, she faced another lengthy wait before the matter went to trial in the District Court.

The court heard Grattidge had a “poor” traffic record which included a negligent driving occasioning actual bodily harm offence. Picture: NewsLocal

It comes almost two years after emergency services were called to Budgewoi Rd, Budgewoi, around 11am on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, following reports of a crash between a Volkswagen Golf and Toyota Corolla.

Despite the efforts of NSW Ambulance paramedics, the 81-year-old passenger of the Toyota — named in court documents as Dorothy Slade — died at the scene.

Ms Slade’s driver, a 62-year-old woman was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition, as was Grattidge who was driving the Golf.

Tuggerah Lakes Police District established a crime scene that was later examined by specialist police from the Crash Investigation Unit.

The scene of a fatal crash on Budgewoi Rd, Budgewoi, where a driver, Rebecca Grattidge, allegedly ploughed into another car killing Dorothy Slade, 81. Picture: NBN News

After being released from hospital a week later on April 21, Grattidge was arrested and taken to Waratah police station where she was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death.

She appeared at a bail hearing at Newcastle Local Court the following day and was remanded in custody.

The Crown prosecutor opposed bail, telling the court Grattidge had a lengthy criminal history which included drug and violence offences, as well as a “poor” traffic record, which included driving with an illicit substance, drink-driving and a negligent driving occasioning actual bodily harm in 2014.

The prosecutor said the Supreme Court would have foreshadowed the potential legal delays and the fact there had been no breaches of bail was a testament to the conditions imposed by that court.

Magistrate Justin Peach said Grattidge was “seen swerving all over the road for a significant time” and the prosecution contends she was “significantly impaired by prescription drugs” which resulted in the fatal collision.

Mr Peach declined the initial application to vary bail but accepted an alternative which would allow Grattidge to leave her house during the day in the company of her adult children, as well as her parents.

The matter was adjourned to Gosford District Court on February 13.