Suspended Tasmania police officer Aaron Tasman Bonner faces court on manslaughter charges

A Tasmanian police officer charged over a crash that killed a pedestrian and seriously injured another earlier this year has appeared in court for the first time. DETAILS >>

The scene of a crash on the corner of Paterson and St John St, Launceston where a pedestrian died and another was taken to hospital in a serious condition.

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A POLICE officer charged over a crash that killed a pedestrian and seriously injured another in Launceston on January 6 has appeared in court for his first appearance.

Suspended constable Aaron Tasman Bonner, 39, appeared in the Launceston Magistrates Court before Magistrate Ken Stanton on Wednesday morning.

He was charged with manslaughter, causing grievous bodily harm, causing the death of another person by negligent driving and causing grievous bodily harm to another person by negligent driving in April after the conclusion of a Tasmania Police investigation.

A couple, aged in their 40s, were crossing the road when they were struck by a police car at the intersection of St John and Paterson streets shortly before 8.30pm on January 6.

The man died at the scene and the woman was flown to The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne fighting for her life.

Cleaners at the scene of a fatal car crash involving a police car and pedestrians in Launceston. Picture: PATRICK GEE

Mr Bonner was allegedly on duty and driving the marked vehicle when it entered the intersection on a red light with emergency lights flashing, but no sirens.

The marked police vehicle allegedly collided with a silver Mitsubishi Lancer, “flipped and spun around several times” on impact, causing it to hit the pedestrians, who were visiting Tasmania from the Hunter Valley in New South Wales.

Acting deputy commissioner Jonathon Higgins labelled the crash a “tragic incident” at the time.

The matters were adjourned without plea to September 10 and Mr Bonner was bailed to appear then.