Steven Anthony McGregor granted bail after fatal Deepwater crash

Steven Anthony McGregor limped into Tamworth Local Court on Tuesday afternoon on crutches after Friday morning’s crash which claimed the life of Patricia McGregor at Deepwater.

Police allege the 37-year-old Victorian was driving in a manner dangerous when he crashed a green Ford Falcon station wagon off the New England Highway, and slammed into a tree between 5am and 5.10am.

He’s also charged with negligent driving occasioning death but was not required to enter pleas during his appearance in court, where he applied for bail.

The court heard crash investigators are awaiting the results of toxicology results to determine if any other charges will be laid.

"The results of an analysts certificate of a blood analysis it not yet available,” Police prosecutor Sergeant Cynthia Donovan said in opposing bail.

She said investigators were still trying to source a Victorian criminal history, but said McGregor had traffic matters on his driving record.

“Fail to appear is highly likely … given his intention in the facts to head to Queensland,” she said.

Sergeant Donovan said McGregor’s Queensland family were “not wanting him in their presence”.

Legal Aid solicitor Wendy McAuliffe said her client “was taken to Banksia from the hospital in Glen Innes” but they had managed to find accommodation for him to live in Tamworth while the case progresses.

“Certainly he is in a very distressed and vulnerable state,” she said, adding he would need ongoing assistance.

She said McGregor was willing to abide by any conditions the court would impose and the case might not be as strong, because there was no admissions, and he “may have been asleep” and “that doesn’t amount to dangerous driving”.

“His only desire to leave this state was to be with family,” she said, adding he had family in Victoria and Queensland.

“He understands he cannot do that.”

Magistrate Roger Prowse said the accused could face lengthy delays for toxicology results and he could spend “over a year” in custody waiting to get to trial if it was a not guilty plea.

He said the bail concerns of flight, endangering the safety of others and committing further serious offences could be mitigated with conditions.

“It’s only a preliminary fact sheet,” he said.

“It’s not a strong case as it may appear on the surface on sequence one.”

He ordered McGregor to live at a North Tamworth address, report to police daily at Tamworth and abstain from alcohol or drugs.

“Thank you, Your Honour,” McGregor replied.

The case has been adjourned to later this month.