‘Insufficient evidence’: Driving charges against Abhinav Sodhi over fatal crash that killed Joshua Dibben on Woy Woy Rd withdrawn and dismissed

A Sydney man charged with the negligent driving death of a young Central Coast father has had his charges withdrawn and dismissed after a court found there was “insufficient evidence”.

Joshua Dibben, 28, was killed in a crash on Woy Woy Rd, Kariong, on Thursday, October 26, 2023. Picture: Facebook

A Sydney man, who had his “whole life turned upside down” when he was charged over a fatal crash on the Central Coast last year, has had all but one minor charge withdrawn and dismissed.

Abhinav Sodhi, 30, of Doonside, was not required to appear in Gosford Local Court on Friday where he had charges of negligent driving occasioning death, failing to stop and assist after a collision and causing harm by misconduct withdrawn and dismissed.

The court heard the only charge police were continuing to pursue was one of negligent driving not occasioning death or injury, which was unrelated to the fatal collision that claimed the life of young Central Coast dad Joshua Dibben.

It came after emergency services were called to Woy Woy Rd at Kariong about 3.25pm on October 26 following reports of a motor vehicle collision.

Paramedics treated a 28-year-old driver of a Toyota Hiace van but he died at the scene.

He was later identified as young first-time dad Mr Dibben.

The crash occurred on Woy Woy Rd at Kariong. (File image)

Paramedics also treated a 64-year-old driver of a VW Amarok utility who was taken to Gosford Hospital with minor injuries.

Brisbane Water Police and the Crash Investigation Unit commenced inquiries into the fatal collision in which they alleged Mr Sodhi was driving a silver Toyota Camry sedan which caused the crash, then left the scene without assisting either injured driver or contacting emergency services.

Joshua Dibben, 28, was killed in the crash. Picture: Facebook

However Mr Sodhi’s solicitor, Criminal Defence Lawyers principal Jimmy Singh, told the Express Advocate the charges were dropped because there was “insufficient evidence” his client played any part in causing the tragic collision.

He said the incident had taken a significant toll on Mr Sodhi who had received various threats over social media.

“His whole life has been turned upside down,” Mr Singh said.

He said Mr Sodhi had actively assisted police in their investigation which included “crash reconstruction experts” and in the end his client was found not to have contributed to the fatality.

He said Mr Sodhi had pleaded guilty in principle to the remaining fine-only offence of negligent driving but it was “unrelated” to the crash and they had not agreed on the specific facts of the offence.

Mr Sodhi is listed to reappear at court for sentence on that charge on August 30.