SA truck driver Hans Freiesleben faces court charged with causing colleague’s death by dangerous driving in fiery crash at Inkerman

A man allegedly behind the wheel of a truck that collided with another in a fiery smash that killed another truckie has appeared in court.

A truck driver accused of causing his peer’s death in a fiery Port Wakefield Highway collision has faced court for the first time.

Hans Freiesleben, 57, of Marleston, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday in answer to his SA Police bail.

He has yet to plead to one count of causing death by dangerous driving, arising from the incident at Inkerman at 6.50am on April 17 this year.

Police were called to Port Wakefield Highway near Prime Rd after two trucks crashed and burst into flames upon impact.

Port Wakefield Highway was blocked in the April crash. Picture: Dean Martin

A truck driver died after the two trucks collided. Picture: Dean Martin

Firefighters spent several hours at the scene trying to extinguish the blaze and to ensure the area was safe.

The driver of one truck, a 77-year-old man from Port Augusta, died at the scene.

The second driver – who, police allege, was Mr Freiesleben – and his 39-year-old male passenger sustained minor injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.

Hans Freiesleben leaves Adelaide Magistrates court on Wednesday. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Southbound lanes of the highway were blocked for the entire day with traffic being diverted from Port Wakefield to Balaklava and Mallala.

Mr Freiesleben was arrested and issued with an immediate loss of licence, while police appealed for witnesses to the road conditions or in possession of dashcam footage.

In court on Wednesday, police prosecutors asked for 14 weeks to finalise their case.

Mr Freiesleben was remanded on continuing police bail to face court in September.

Originally published as SA truck driver Hans Freiesleben faces court charged with causing colleague’s death by dangerous driving in fiery crash at Inkerman