Jake Cartledge fronts court on dangerous driving charges following fatal Echuca collision
An Echuca man has faced court for the first time after being charged over a crash that killed his partner and an 11-year-old boy.
Goulburn Valley
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A young man has faced court for the first time after the death of his partner and a young boy in a horror crash in the state’s north earlier this month.
Jake Cartledge, 23, is charged with two counts of dangerous driving causing death.
Mr Cartledge appeared via video link in the Echuca Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, along with his lawyer Zarah Garde-Wilson.
Mr Cartledge wore a white button up shirt and appeared solemn, with Ms Garde-Wilson speaking on behalf of her client.
Dates were set for the hand up of the brief of evidence and for the committal mention.
Police are relying on an engineering report, so a 16-week hand up period — longer than usual — was asked for by the prosecution.
Mr Cartledge was driving on the road on the Murray Valley Highway before the car struck a tree, causing it to burst into flames near Mount Terrick Rd.
Despite the efforts of emergency services, Sheridan Coulthard, Mr Cartledge’s partner, and an 11-year-old Echuca boy died at the scene.
Mr Cartledge was flown to hospital with minor injuries, before being charged by police.
Mr Cartledge will face a committal mention on May 29 at the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court, and his bail has been extended until that date.
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