Accused killer driver on bail at the time of fatal Footscray crash, court told
A man charged with manslaughter over a horror fatal truck crash in Footscray was on six counts of bail at the time of the incident, a court has heard.
Police & Courts
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An accused killer driver was on six counts of bail when he allegedly ploughed into an innocent motorist in Footscray this week, a court has heard.
Deer Park man Steven Wilson, 40, fronted the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday charged with manslaughter, culpable driving and conduct endangering life following the horror smash which claimed the life of a 67-year-old Taylors Hill man Steven Kinna on Monday.
The court heard it was Mr Wilson’s first time in custody despite being on six counts of bail at the time of the fatal crash.
His lawyer said he may be withdrawing from drugs of dependence and nicotine and would need to be seen by a nurse in custody.
Mr Wilson, who is also facing charges including trafficking methamphetamine, going equipped to steal and possessing proceeds of crime, was only charged by police on Thursday.
Charge sheets released to the Herald Sun allege Mr Wilson was arrested in possession of methamphetamine, bolt cutters, a seatbelt cutter, pliers, screwdriver, glass breaker and more than $1200 cash suspected of being proceeds of crime.
The court heard he suffered a suspected concussion as a result of the smash and underwent surgery on his left leg.
Aided by crutches, the accused killer driver had to be assisted into the dock by custody officers.
He appeared visibly uncomfortable throughout the brief proceeding, speaking only once to request medical attention.
“I have received no medication, nothing,” Mr Wilson told Magistrate Tara Hartnett.
The court heard an extensive volume of crime scene material was to be analysed, including by experts in Germany.
The prosecutor said hours of CCTV footage and police airwing footage would need to be reviewed in addition to a crash reconstruction report.
The brief of evidence is expected to take 20 weeks, with Mr Wilson remanded to reappear in court on July 10.
The charges follow the fatal crash between an allegedly stolen truck and a car at the intersection of Ballarat Rd and Moore St on Monday about 4.30am.
Detectives believe the truck was travelling west on Ballarat Rd when it allegedly ran a red light and collided with a 2011 Toyota Corolla which was turning right from the intersection.
The male driver of the sedan, a 67-year-old from Taylors Hill, died at the scene.
Officers in police cars and the Air Wing had tried to catch the allegedly stolen truck for half an hour on Monday morning.Police allege it raced through Melbourne’s west, running red lights and speeding on the wrong side of the road.
Stop sticks were thrown down twice during the pursuit but it is unclear whether either attempt slowed the truck down.
The allegedly stolen truck first came to police attention at about 2.30am on Monday when it was spotted driving erratically in Beveridge.
The Nissan truck – believed to be stolen several days ago – was then involved in another collision on Hopkins Rd in Truganina about 3.15am.
A little over an hour later, at 4.30am in Footscray, the truck allegedly ran a red light and crashed into the Corolla, killing the driver instantly.
The Corolla was pushed up to 80m before being slammed into a tree.
The Deer Park man was arrested at the scene and was taken to hospital, at the time, under police guard.
He will appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Victoria Police’s Professional Standards Command will have oversight in the investigation because the man died while police were following the truck at the time of the crash.
Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir told reporters on Monday the incident was an “absolute tragedy”.
“When you think about those things that keep you awake at night, this is one of the things that keeps me awake at night,” Mr Weir said.
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