A MAN has fronted court for the first time after a crash that killed a passenger in his car east of Glen Innes last year.
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Matthew David Somerville appeared in Grafton Local Court this week on eight charges after the September crash on Old Glen Innes Road at Newton Boyd.
Somerville was not required to enter pleas to charges of dangerous driving occasioning death and grievous bodily harm (GBH) while driving under the influence; causing bodily harm by misconduct in a motor vehicle; dangerous driving causing death and GBH; negligent driving; and low-range PCA.
Magistrate Karen Stafford ordered police to compile the brief of evidence and serve it on Somerville's defence solicitor by July, before the case returns to court.
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Police allege Somerville, 19, was behind the wheel of a Nissan Patrol with three passengers on board about 10.30pm, when the car left the road and rolled a number of times down an embankment.
Somerville and two of his passengers were able to free themselves from the wreckage, but a 20-year-old man was trapped. He died at the scene.
The others drove to a nearby property to raise the alarm and emergency services were called. The three were then taken to Grafton hospital for various injuries.
Somerville was charged after an investigation by the Oxley Crash Investigation Unit from Tamworth.
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
