The Queensland truck driver charged over the deaths of a young couple in a seven-vehicle crash near Dubbo in January has been ordered to stand trial on 13 charges.
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Robert Crockford, 51, waived his right to a committal hearing when he faced Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday.
Mr Crockford was arrested and charged in February after he was discharged from hospital, where he had been taken after the January 16 crash on the Newell Highway north of Dubbo.
Gulargambone’s Hannah Ferguson, 19, and her 21-year-old boyfriend Reagen Skinner were killed and 10 others including a two-year-old girl were injured in the pile-up at roadworks.
On Wednesday Mr Crockford, who was granted bail by the Supreme Court of NSW in August, appeared before magistrate Paul Hayes via video link from a Queensland address.
A crutch rested against the wall near where the accused was seated.
A Dubbo solicitor was present at the bar table, acting as agent for the Mr Crockford’s principal lawyer.
The Crown tendered a summary of the charges to be committed for trial, an outline of the Crown case, a copy of the brief of evidence in two thick folders and a waiver document.
Mr Crockford was committed for trial on two charges of dangerous driving occasioning death, three charges of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, and eight charges of cause bodily harm by misconduct.
He was listed to appear in the District Court of NSW at Dubbo on February 22 for arraignment, where he will formally enter pleas.
A number of back-up charges and related charges were also transferred to the higher court, taking the total number of charges to 21.
There was also discussion about whether Mr Crockford could appear via video link rather than in person for arraignment.
It was the Crown position he should appear in person, given the serious nature of the matter, the court heard.
Mr Crockford was ordered to appear in person and his bail was continued.
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