Paul Raymond Ghassibe faces charges over Springfield Rd, Catherine Field fatal crash

A young father who has been charged with driving on the wrong side of the road and causing a fatal crash in Catherine Field has told police the other driver was at fault.

A father-of-two has blamed the alleged victim as the cause of a fatal collision in Sydney’s south west, but police allege he drove too fast on the wrong side of the road.

Paul Raymond Ghassibe, 37, was represented in Picton court by a lawyer on Wednesday after being charged with dangerous driving occasioning death; negligent driving (occasioning death); and not keeping left of dividing line.

At around 8pm on Sunday February 13, police allege Mr Ghassibe was driving a white Mercedes SUV on the wrong side of Springfield Rd in Catherine Field when it allegedly hit the victim’s car.

The victim’s car spun 135 degrees and stopped in the middle of the northbound lane and the victim remained trapped in the car, according to the police facts.

The 55-year-old driver of the Toyota suffered critical injuries and died in his vehicle, according to the documents tendered to the court.

Meanwhile, police allege Mr Ghassibe’s car rotated a full 360 degrees before continuing for around 40 metres and sideswiping a power pole.

“Serious damage was occasioned to the accused and victim’s vehicles,” court documents said.

“Commission of the offence caused the death of the victim ... obvious trauma to the victim’s family ... the defendant did not make admissions to the offences claiming the deceased party to have been at fault.

“Police have obtained CCTV footage which depicts the manner in which the accused and the victim are driving directly prior to the collision.”

In court on Wednesday, Mr Ghassibe’s lawyer said they were still waiting for the full brief of evidence from prosecutors.

The police prosecutor said instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions were that they needed an adjournment for one month.

The matter returns to court on June 22. Pleas in the case are yet to be entered.

Mr Ghassibe remains on bail which includes directions to not occupy the driver’s seat, to reside at his home, report to police, not to approach international departure points, not to leave NSW, and not contact any victim or witness.