German man absent from court after Huon Valley road death that occurred more than a year ago

A death by negligent driving case due to unfold in the Hobart Magistrates Court has again been adjourned.

• German man to fight death by negligent driving charge in July
• Dover driver fronts court, charged with death by negligent driving

UPDATE, April 22, 2021: 

A GERMAN national who denies causing the road death of a 59-year-old Huon Valley man by negligently driving his Fiat campervan has again been absent from court.

Friedrich Kurt Burkhardt, 67, was due to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court for mention on Thursday, following a series of adjournments since the accident at Dover on January 27 last year.

Mr Burkhardt, who is on bail, has flagged he would fight one count of causing death by negligent driving.

His two-day contested hearing has already previously been adjourned from July 1 and again on November 26.

The Mercury previously reported that a 59-year-old man died after his Toyota Aurion and Mr Burkhardt’s Fiat collided head-on while driving the Huon Highway.

The court previously heard that Mr Burkhardt’s hearing would likely include evidence from at least nine witnesses, but Mr Burkhardt himself was unlikely to enter the witness box.

On Thursday, Chief Magistrate Catherine Geason heard prosecutors planned to “monitor the progress” of the case, and might apply for a warrant on his next court date if necessary.

Mr Burkhardt’s next court date was set down for July 13.

January 11, 2021: 

A GERMAN national accused of causing the road death of a 59-year-old Huon Valley man by negligently driving his Fiat campervan was due to face court on Friday.

Friedrich Kurt Burkhardt, 67, was due to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court for an administrative hearing after flagging he would fight one count of causing death by negligent driving – dating back to January 27 last year at Dover.

Mr Burkhardt, who is on bail, was not in court on Friday but was represented by a lawyer.

His two-day contested hearing has already previously been adjourned from hearing dates listed for July 1 and then November 26.

The crash on Huon Highway resulted in the death of a 59-year-old man when his Toyota Aurion and Mr Burkhardt’s vehicle collided head-on, the Mercury previously reported.

The court previously heard that Mr Burkhardt’s hearing would likely include evidence from at least nine witnesses, but Mr Burkhardt himself was unlikely to enter the witness box.

Magistrate Reg Marron adjourned the case until February 4.

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