Joshua Wright: Driver accused of fatal crash does not seek bail
An Illawong man has been charged over a range of driving offences following a Sutherland crash that left him injured and his mate dead. Here’s the latest.
St George Shire Standard
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An Illawong man will remain behind bars for another month after he did not apply for bail following a car crash in Sutherland that left him injured and his mate dead.
Joshua Marcus Wright, 21, allegedly tried to flee a police stop before he crashed into a power pole on Rawson Ave on April 18.
Wright was charged with a range of driving offences on April 21 and when his case was first heard in Sutherland Local Court the following day he was still in St George Hospital and was too injured to give instructions to his lawyer.
Therefore his case was adjourned to April 29 for a bail application.
On Friday, Wright did not appear via audiovisual link in court and his lawyer did not indicate why a release application would not be made.
Instead, bail was formally refused and the case was adjourned to June.
Documents tendered to court said police allege Sutherland Traffic and Highway Patrol officers attempted to stop a Ford Falcon for a random breath test at Sutherland about 4.14am on Monday.
Wright allegedly did not pull over and a pursuit was initiated and terminated within seconds due to the alleged manner of driving.
Police allege Wright was driving more than 45 km/h over the signposted speed limit, documents said.
The Ford continued into Rawson Ave and struck a power pole.
Police arrived at the crash site and removed all occupants, rendering first aid until paramedics arrived.
One of the passengers, a 17-year-old boy, died at the scene. He cannot be named for legal reasons.
Wright and a second passenger, also aged 21, were taken to St George Hospital where they have undergone surgery.
Police established a crime scene and with the assistance of specialist police from the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Following inquiries, Wright was charged with seven offences including aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death – escaping pursuit and aggravated dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm – escaping pursuit.
He was also charged with aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death with speed more than 45 over limit; aggravated dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm with speed more than 45 over limit; negligent driving occasioning death, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, and driving while licence expired less than two years before.
The investigation regarding the critical incident continues under Strike Force Cusps and will be subject to an independent review.
Wright’s case will return to court on June 16.
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