Mangrove Mountain: Truck driver Jeffrey Michael Sankey, 70, may have ‘blacked out’ before fatal crash

A truck driver may have suffered a blackout moments before a fatal collision, a court has heard.

Jeffrey Sankey may have suffered a blackout moments before a fatal collision. Picture: supplied

A truck driver may have suffered a blackout immediately before a collision which claimed the life of a beloved grandmother, a court has heard.

Jeffrey Michael Sankey, 70, of Empire Bay, was excused from appearing at Gosford Local Court on Friday where he is yet to enter pleas to dangerous driving occasioning death and negligent driving occasioning death.

Police will allege in court Mr Sankey was driving a prime mover about 3.20pm on Friday, January 19, 2024, on Wisemans Ferry Rd, Mangrove Mountain, when it was involved in a collision with a Toyota Landcruiser.

The driver of the LandCruiser, who has since been identified as beloved wife, mother and grandmother Soula “Sue” Catsaitis, 56, died at the scene.

A crime scene was established as specialist officers attached to the Crash Investigation Unit commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Soula "Sue" Catsaitis, 56, was killed in a crash with a prime mover on Wisemans Ferry Drive on January 19. Picture: supplied

Mr Sankey’s solicitor, Christopher Murnane, told the court the Office of the Department of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) was seeking a further adjournment.

Mr Murnane said a medical report had been received that indicated Mr Sankey may have suffered a “blackout immediately before the collision”.

Mr Sankey was excused from appearing given he was legally represented. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

He said the prosecution was seeking access to “cardiologist material” which could be beneficial for his client and consented to the adjournment despite the matter being more than a year old.

He also told the court Mr Sankey was currently suffering from bladder cancer and sought that he be excused from attending court if he was legally represented on the next occasion.

Mr Sankey was adjourned to March 28.