AN ARMIDALE grandmother will stand trial on charges stemming from a crash which claimed the life of her granddaughter.
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Jeanette Marie Hayes sobbed in Armidale Local Court yesterday morning as she was ordered to stand trial on three charges relating to the March 26 crash.
The 47-year-old, who was supported by family in court, is accused of dangerous driving causing the death of the two-month-old baby girl.
Prosecutors argue Hayes was driving a Holden Commodore when it overtook a truck on the Uralla Rd at Armidale about 8.10am.
It’s alleged she then lost control of the car and slid sideways onto the wrong side of the road, into the path of an oncoming silver sedan.
A 20-year-old woman in the sedan was critically injured in the crash, suffering a bleed on the brain and a fractured pelvis and wrist, and was airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle but has since been released.
Hayes’ two sons were also injured and hospitalised after the crash before being released in the following days.
Prosecutors allege at the time of the accident the car’s tyres were bald and failed safety standards.
Yesterday, solicitor Frank Falcomata signalled his client would fight the charges, submitting a signed waiver of committal to head straight to trial on one count of dangerous driving occasioning death and two charges of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.
Three backup charges of negligent driving occasioning death, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and using a vehicle that doesn’t comply with the tyre standard will also be carried to the district court.
A brief of evidence was submitted to the court but DPP solicitor Peter Woods said pink pages throughout the bundled document indicated “why the material has been redacted and placed in a sealed envelope.”
“Certain material has been sealed, is that right?” Magistrate Andrew Richardson asked.
“Yes, your honour,” Mr Woods replied.
As Hayes was committed for trial in the Armidale District Court, Magistrate Richardson said a call-over in November would help to find a date, adding “these things take time”.
“Everything will be done to make sure you are given a fair trial,” he told Hayes.
“Yes, your honour,” she replied.
