Peter Hall charged over fatal crash near Gilgandra

Police allege an 81-year-old man was driving dangerously when his RAV4 crashed into a tree, which killed his wife in country NSW.

The case of an 81-year-old man, accused of driving dangerously when his car crashed into a tree and his wife was killed, has been mentioned in court for the first time.

Police allege Peter Charles Bevan Hall was the driver of a Toyota RAV4 which left the road and crashed into a tree about 10 kilometres south of Gilgandra, in central NSW on June 29, 2021.

Betty Hall was killed in the crash, which occurred 10 kilometres south of Gilgandra. Picture: Ambulance NSW

According to court documents, the Gilgandra man’s wife Betty Hall was killed in the crash and she died at the scene.

Mr Hall was flown to hospital in a critical condition and on November 1, after he was released, police charged him with dangerous driving causing death and negligent driving causing death.

No pleas have been entered by Mr Hall.

After being granted conditional bail by police, Mr Hall was due to appear in Gilgandra Local Court for the first time on Friday but was excused from appearing in person.

A rescue helicopter was forced to land on the Newell Highway to retrieve Peter Hall after the crash. Picture: Ambulance NSW

Magistrate Stephen Olischlager said the court received a letter from defence lawyer Jai Silkman, requesting an eight-week adjournment while work on the preparation of a brief of evidence carried out.

Mr Hall was excused from attending court and Magistrate Olischlager agreed to adjourn the case to February 11.