Wadalba: Truck driver Michael Roy Hoffman without a lawyer a month out from fatal crash trial

A truck driver who has denied being under the influence of meth or in any other way responsible for a fatal crash has found himself without a lawyer a month out from his trial.

Truck driver Michael Roy Hoffman, 43, of East Maitland, has been charged with the alleged dangerous driving death of a 17-year-old P-plater. Picture: Facebook

A truck driver charged over a fatal crash on the Central Coast in 2023 has found himself without a lawyer a month out from his priority trial, a court has heard.

Michael Roy Hoffman, 43, of East Maitland, represented himself at Gosford District Court on Thursday after his lawyer withdrew from his case last month.

Mr Hoffman, who has pleaded not guilty to three charges including causing bodily harm by misconduct, driving under the influence of meth occasioning death and driving in a manner dangerous occasioning death, told the court he was seeking new representation.

He said he was talking to a new legal firm, which had also recommended he apply for Legal Aid.

Mr Hoffman told the court he had to deposit money into a trust account to secure a barrister but had also got an application form “last night” for Legal Aid “because I’m not working”.

Truck driver Mr Hoffman was involved in a crash with two other cars on the Pacific Highway at Wadalba in August 2023. Picture: Google

It comes after emergency services were called to a collision involving two cars and a Mack Trident rigid tipper truck Mr Hoffman was driving on the Pacific Highway, at Wadalba, about 4.20pm on Tuesday, August 15, 2023.

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

The female driver of one of the cars was taken to hospital with serious injuries. (AAP Image/Sue Graham)

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

A then 46-year-old female driver of the other car, a Mazda, was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to hospital with serious injuries including spinal damage.

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

He was discharged from hospital the following day before being charged at a later date.

The court heard Mr Hoffman had a “priority trial” listed to start on August 25 and it was starting to cut it a bit fine to brief a new barrister a month out.

Judge Tanya Bright said Mr Hoffman had to file his application for Legal Aid by no later than 5pm on Friday, July 4, and adjourned the matter to July 17.