Ronald Barry George Northam was refused bail in an out-of-sessions bail hearing in Moree Local Court yesterday morning, charged with the dangerous driving death of Daryl Brown on March 5.

Police allege Northam, who was arrested at an Inverell business on Wednesday morning, was behind the wheel of a Toyota Camry that struck Mr Brown who was walking along Cameron St about 10.45pm.

The vehicle allegedly failed to stop and took off from the scene.

Witnesses rendered first aid at the scene before paramedics rushed Mr Brown to Inverell hospital, but he died just hours later.

Following extensive investigations by Inverell detectives, Northam was charged with numerous traffic offences, including dangerous driving causing death, failing to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing death, driving while disqualified, driving an unregistered vehicle and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Police allege Northam is disqualified from driving for life in NSW and was intoxicated when he got behind the wheel of the unregistered sedan, the court was told yesterday.

Northam, who appeared via video link in court from Inverell Police Station, lodged a bail application yesterday but was denied release after the court found he was an unacceptable risk if released.

Inverell Acting Inspector Ross Chilcott said police would allege Northam was driving the vehicle when it left the showground, where the Inverell show was on, and then struck Mr Brown on Cameron St.

Following investigations by Inverell detectives, a Toyota Camry, which police will allege was used in the fatal hit-and-run, was discovered by police at a William St property in Inverell.

“That vehicle has been seized and has undergone forensic examination,” Acting Inspector Chilcott said.

The incident occurred on the weekend of the Inverell Show, and police believe there are still locals or visitors to the town who might have seen the incident or spotted the white sedan being driven by a man with an Akubra-style hat.

“Police want to thank the community for their assistance,” he said.

“We’re still looking for further witnesses to assist in the investigation, so anybody that was around the showgrounds, or around the vicinity of Macintyre St, Medora St, at that time, we’re still very eager to speak with them.” 

Northam will remain in custody until the case returns to court in Inverell in mid-May.