Deepak Richard to stand trial over crash death of Ben Powell

A man involved in a horrific head-on crash which left a 24-year-old man dead in western NSW will fight a dangerous driving charge.

A Dubbo man will stand trial over the death of a young Cobar man who was killed in a horrific head-on crash on an outback highway in western NSW.

Police allege Deepak Richard, 35, was driving a Toyota Hilux which collided with another Hilux driven by 24-year-old Cobar man Benjamin Jock Powell at about 1.20pm on November 11, 2019.

Ben Powell died at the scene. Picture: Facebook/Ben Powell

The crash occurred on the Barrier Highway near the village of Hermidale, about 75km east of Cobar.

Mr Powell died at the scene and Mr Richard spent a night in Dubbo Base Hospital being treated for minor injuries.

Mr Richard was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death and he has pleaded not guilty.

In court ahead of the Mr Richards’s trial, Crown prosecutor Andrew Lynch said several people who came across the crash afterwards would be called to give evidence.

“It is the Crown case that the vehicle that was driven by the accused drifted on to the wrong side of the road,” Mr Lynch said.

“Speed’s not a factor, alcohol is not a factor.”

Deepak Richard has pleaded not guilty. Picture: Ryan Young

When Judge Nanette Williams asked if fatigue was allegedly a factor which led to the crash, Mr Lynch said Mr Richard had given “a number of versions” of events.

Mr Lynch said the trial was expected to run for seven to 10 days.

Defence lawyer Tim Cullenward said an expert report had been ordered and was due to be finalised ahead of the first potential trial date of May 17.

Mr Richard remains on bail.