William Freeman death: Iqbal Singh hit with new charges after fatal Wetherill Park crash
A truck driver which collided with a bus has been hit with new charges, including using a mobile phone while driving and not stopping at a red light, following the death of a 74-year-old bus driver.
Fairfield
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The driver of a semi-trailer which collided with a bus — killing 74-year-old driver William Freeman — is facing extra charges following a police investigation into the horrific crash.
The truck driver, Iqbal Singh, 26, of Woolgoolga, is now charged with dangerous driving causing death and negligent driving resulting in death.
He is also charged with three counts of not stopping at a red light, two counts of not stopping at a yellow light and five counts of using a mobile phone while driving.
Police allege Singh, 26, an Indian national, committed a litany of driving offences on the night of the fatal crash, including using his phone on the Pacific Mwy, Pennant Hills Rd, and the New England Hwy, while driving the semi-trailer.
Appearing before Fairfield Local Court on Monday, Singh’s lawyer Steven Mercael requested an amendment to his bail conditions which would allow him to make a new visa application.
Singh’s passport was confiscated when he was first granted bail to limit the risk of him failing to appear, the court heard. He would potentially be in breach of his visa conditions if it wasn’t able to be renewed.
Mr Mercael told the court his client had lived in the country for nine years, and needed to produce his original passport to the Indian visa application centre.
He said his client was not a risk of failing to appear, noting Singh’s family are also based in Australia.
Magistrate Stuart Devine granted the bail amendment, allowing Singh to hold his passport for one day.
Another bail condition forbidding the 26-year-old from entering international points of departure was also introduced.
The fatal collision between the state transit bus and Kenworth semi-trailer took place about 11.45pm on Thursday, August 18.
Emergency services were called to the scene of the collision, at the intersection of Davis Rd and the Liverpool-Parramatta Transitway at Wetherill Park.
The 74-year-old male bus driver, identified by court documents as William Freeman, was trapped inside until he was freed by Fire and Rescue NSW.
He was treated by paramedics at the scene after suffering serious injuries to his leg, back and head before being taken to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition.
Mr Freeman died in hospital on August 23.
Four male passengers were also on the bus and were treated for minor injuries after the crash. All passengers have since recovered.
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