Robbie Awad charged with reckless driving causing death over fatal Hamilton Island buggy crash

The husband of a woman killed in a buggy crash on Hamilton Island has pleaded not guilty to causing the death of his newly wed bride on their honeymoon.

Marina Hanna (right), died in an golf buggy incident on Hamilton Island. Her husband Robbie Awad (left) has been charged over the fatal crash.

A husband will fight charges he caused the death of his new wife in a fatal golf buggy crash on their honeymoon on Hamilton Island.

Robbie Awad – also known as Robbie Morgan – is facing four charges over the June 20 fatal golf buggy crash that claimed the life of his new wife Marina Morgan.

Mr Awad did not appear in Proserpine Magistrates Court on Monday when the case was mentioned in court for the first time.

Instead his solicitor Sam Wildermuth, who appeared via telephone, asked for his appearance to be excused saying there were “logistical issues” as Mr Awad lived in Sydney.

Robbie Morgan (pictured), has entered a not guilty plea over the fatal crash that killed his new bride on their honeymoon. Picture: Facebook

Magistrate James Morton questioned why Mr Awad was not appearing “to put a not guilty plea on the record”.

Mr Wildermuth said he did not know that was the practice in Proserpine, to which Mr Morton said it was the practice in a lot of courts.

The matter was briefly adjourned for 10 minutes so Mr Awad could appear by phone.

Pictured at Rookwood Cemetery for the funeral of Marina Morgan who was tragically killed while on her honeymoon with husband Robbie on Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays when the golf buggy they were in rolled. Husband Robbie Morgan says his last goodbyes.

Shortly after 11am Mr Awad pleaded not guilty to driving without due care and attention on causing the death of Ms Morgan.

Police alleged Mr Awad attempted a U-turn on the corner of Coral Sea Ave and Whitsunday Boulevard as a result the 29 year old newlywed died.

Attempts by an off-duty firefighter, a doctor and dentist to save her were unsuccessful.

Mr Awad, 30, was not injured in the crash.

Marina Morgan (left) died in June 2022, 10 days after her wedding while honeymooning on Hamilton Island. Picture: Facebook

The Sydney couple had been married 10 days earlier in an lavish ceremony and reception at Doltone House before heading to the popular Whitsunday island for a dream honeymoon.

Mr Awad was charged following an extensive police investigation.

He is also charged over allegations of using a mobile phone and that he and his wife were not wearing seatbelts.

A brief of evidence has been ordered for the reckless driving charge and is due by January 23, 2023, while the remaining three charges have been adjourned for a mention.

Matters will be mentioned again on February 6, 2023. Mr Awad’s only bail condition is he remain at his current address in Quakers Hill, New South Wales.

Originally published as Robbie Awad charged with reckless driving causing death over fatal Hamilton Island buggy crash