Thornleigh man Simon Mouait freed on bail after fatal crash in Beecroft

A P-plate driver charged after a two-car crash left one pedestrian dead and another unlikely to survive in Sydney’s north has made a bid for bail.

Simon Mouait, 20, leaves court. Picture: David Swift

A P-plate driver who allegedly ran a red light causing a deadly two-way crash in Sydney‘s north has been released on bail.

Simon Mouait, 20, of Thornleigh, appeared before Burwood Local Court on Wednesday charged with dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm, and not stopping at a stop line at a red light.

The court heard Mouait had allegedly ran a red light at the intersection of Beecroft Rd and Hannah St, before colliding his Toyota HiLux Ute with a Nissan Tiida sedan.

“The force of the collision caused the Nissan to rotate, while Mouait continued to drive and mount the kerb and struck two pedestrians,” police allege.

The man has been charged with dangerous driving occasioning death. Picture: David Swift

A supporter helped Mouait leave court.

About 8.30pm, emergency services arrived at the scene where they treated 55-year-old Lixin Kang who tragically died at the scene.

Zhen Liu, 54, was treated by paramedics before being taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition.

BEECROFT | #FRNSW working with @NSWAmbulance and @nswpolice at a serious crash on Beecroft Rd. Beecroft Rd will be closed in both directions at Hannah Street for several hours pic.twitter.com/9mvHrsq8Qz

— Fire and Rescue NSW (@FRNSW) March 21, 2023

Magistrate Joy Boulos said she was unlikely to survive, while the driver of the Nissan – a 47-year-old man – was uninjured.

The court heard Mouait was not alleged to have been speeding at the time of the crash, and tested negative for drugs and alcohol.

Ms Boulos said the facts of the charges were “tragic” and ”disturbing”, but agreed to grant Mouait strict conditional bail.

Mouait’s lawyer Ahmed Dib said the 20-year-old was currently enrolled at TAFE and had been working at his brother‘s plumbing business since their father’s death in 2021.

Mr Dib told the court Mouait had “never had any interactions with police‘’ and had only a single driving infringement for an illegal U-turn since gaining his licence in 2021.

“By all accounts he has a bright future,” Mr Dib said.

Mouait was granted bail to reside with his family in Thornleigh where he will be restricted from leaving except for TAFE, work, or to attend court.

He will also be barred from driving as part of his bail conditions.