A 23-year-old man who was charged with seven offences after he presented to Canberra Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries following a fatal crash in Cooma NSW last November has today been charged with manslaughter.
Crash investigators have laid the additional charges, which include manslaughter and drive with middle range PCA (Prescribed Concentration of Alcohol), as part of an investigation into the fatal single-vehicle crash.
About 11.45pm on Saturday 18 November, NSW emergency services responded to reports a car had crashed into a tree on Vulcan Street, Cooma.
The passenger, a 25-year-old man, was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics; however, he died at the scene.
On arrival, NSW Police officers attached to the Crash Investigation Unit (CIU) were told the driver, a 23-year-old man, left the scene prior to police arriving.
A crime scene was established, which was forensically examined, and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash began.
A short time later, a 23-year-old man presented to Canberra Hospital, with non-life-threatening injuries.
Following inquiries, officers attached to the CIU made application for the extradition of the man, which was granted by an ACT Magistrate on Wednesday 22 November.
Upon his release from hospital, he was taken to Queanbeyan Police Station where he was charged with seven offences:
- Dangerous driving occasioning death – drive manner dangerous
- Fail to stop & assist after vehicle impact causing death
- Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period
- Negligent driving (occasioning death)
- Prolong, sustain etc loss of traction
- Use unregistered registrable Class A motor vehicle on road
- Use uninsured motor vehicle on road
Following further investigations, an additional two offences have been laid at Cooma Local Court today, Wednesday 7 February.
The additional charges include manslaughter and drive with middle range PCA.
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