Jacob Ray: Hawkesbury man charged after fatal Moruya crash

A man accused of killing a 33-year-old in a horrific fatal crash on the NSW South Coast late last year has returned to court.

The 33-year-old Narooma resident was killed in the crash. Picture: Tom McGann.

The horrific matter of a man accused of killing another in a fatal car crash on the NSW South Coast late last year, has returned to court.

The incident saw Jacob Ray, 24, mentioned in Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday, charged with dangerous driving occasioning in death and negligent driving occasioning in death.

The young man – who resides in Hawkesbury, north of Sydney – is yet to enter pleas to the serious charges.

Ray was excused from appearing in court on Monday – and in any future appearances unless it’s a sentence or trial – due to being legally represented and living 400km away from Batemans Bay.

Police allege Ray was driving dangerously at 6.50am on July 24, 2023, when his Holden Colorado crashed head on into a Suzuki Jimny on the Princes Hwy, near Donnellys Rd, south of Moruya.

The 33-year-old driver of the Suzuki who resided in Narooma, was freed by emergency services after being trapped for some time.

However, despite the best efforts and treatment from NSW Ambulance paramedics, he died at the scene of the crash.

Ray – along with a 24-year-old female passenger – were also treated by paramedics before they were taken to the Moruya Hospital for assessment.

The fatal crash saw traffic come to a halt on the Princes Hwy outside Moruya. Picture: Tom McGann.

The Hawkesbury man was transferred to Canberra Hospital for further treatment while the female passenger was released.

Officers attached to South Coast Police District established a crime scene at the crash which was forensically examined by specialist officers from the Crash Investigation Unit.

Just seven days following the tragic crash on July 29, Ray attended the Windsor Police Station in Hawkesbury, where he spoke with investigators before he was charged.

The 24-year-old was granted conditional bail the same day, which he remains on.

In Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday, Ray’s lawyer Tomislav Bicanic said the brief of evidence in the matter had been served to the prosecution.

Flowers were left at the scene of the fatal crash for the 33-year-old Narooma man who died. Picture: Tom McGann.

Mr Bicanic then asked the court for an adjournment to allow prosecution and the Director of Public Prosecutions to service the brief of evidence.

The adjournment was also requested to allow for additional material to be acquired by the prosecution.

Magistrate David O’Connor did not oppose the request, standing the matter by nearly two months, noting the extra material would take some time to gather.

Ray’s matter will return to Batemans Bay Local Court on April 8.