Robert Salerno pleads not guilty to negligent driving occasioning death after 2022 Narooma crash
A man accused of killing a woman after his Audi allegedly careened into a number of cars on a South Coast highway has officially denied the charges more than two years on.
The South Coast News
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A man accused of killing a woman after his Audi allegedly careened into a number of cars on a South Coast highway has officially denied the charges more than two years on.
Robert Salerno’s case was mentioned in Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday, where his lawyer, Julie Nguyen, entered pleas of not guilty to negligent driving occasioning death, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, and cause bodily harm by misconduct of motor vehicle on her client’s behalf.
The 42-year-old was also charged with dangerous driving occasioning death, and three counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, however, these charges were withdrawn.
Salerno’s charges arose when he allegedly caused the death of 39-year-old Holly Deacon while allegedly engaging in negligent driving on the Princes Hwy outside Narooma on December 20, 2022.
It is alleged Salerno – who resides in South Australia – lost control of his vehicle, crashing into multiple other cars on the busy highway and killing the woman on the spot.
Court documents state Salerno is also accused of severely injuring other drivers, Marcus Asalemo, Eric Asalemo and Alfreda Mareci, during the alleged crash.
He was later arrested and charged, with bail soon after granted.
Following more than two years of delays and adjournments, Salerno’s pleas were finally entered on Monday, with Ms Nguyen saying the case would next move to a lengthy hearing.
“We’re expecting a five-day hearing with a total of 12 witnesses,” she told Magistrate Doug Dick.
Mr Dick said he would not be able to oversee the proceedings given the number of courts he covered, suggesting another magistrate would be chosen.
Salerno’s five day hearing will occur in Moruya Local Court later this year.
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