Wadalba: Truck driver Michael Roy Hoffman pleads not guilty to dangerous driving occasioning death

There were gasps from a packed public gallery as a truckie pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving occasioning the death of a 17-year-old P-plater. Here’s what happened in court.

Truck driver Michael Roy Hoffman, 42, of East Maitland, has pleaded not guilty to the dangerous driving death of a 17-year-old P-plater and injuring another female driver in a crash at Wadalba. Picture: Facebook

A truckie charged over a fatal crash on the Central Coast, which killed a 17-year-old P-plater, has shocked friends and family of the victim when he pleaded not guilty.

Michael Roy Hoffman, of East Maitland, faced Wyong Local Court on Tuesday where he pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving occasioning death, causing bodily harm by misconduct to another female driver and dangerous driving occasioning death while under the influence of drugs.

He was not required to enter pleas to two more backup charges of negligent driving occasioning death and driving with illicit drugs present in his blood, which will be considered at the conclusion of his trial.

Mr Hoffman appeared at Wyong Local Court where members of the public gallery gasped in shock when he entered not guilty pleas.

The pleas come after two recent court appearances in which the 42-year-old’s legal representative indicated the case was likely to “resolve” and sought adjournments so negotiations around the alleged “facts” of the case could be settled.

The not guilty pleas were greeted by loud “gasps” from the packed public gallery with several supporters of the deceased teenager leaving court muttering and shaking their heads.

Mr Hoffman’s bail was continued and he was adjourned for arraignment in Gosford District Court on October 17.

At the previous court appearance the police prosecutor also “flagged” a detention application should Mr Hoffman plead guilty on the next occasion.

Following the not guilty pleas on Tuesday, the prosecutor told the court the detention application was “no longer pressed”.

It comes more than a year after emergency services were called to a collision involving two cars and a Mack Trident truck on the Pacific Highway, at Wadalba, about 4.20pm on Tuesday, August 15, 2023.

A 17-year-old male P-plate driver died at the scene.

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

A 46-year-old female driver of a Mazda was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Mr Hoffman was also treated at the scene before being taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment and mandatory testing.

He was discharged from hospital the following day.