PROSECUTORS have served all the evidence against a Tamworth man accused of the dangerous driving deaths of his wife and another family member.
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Stephen George Russell, 58, did not appear in Tamworth Local Court when his eight charges, connected to the double fatal crash near Walcha on January 3, were mentioned.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Rob Baillie told the court the case was moving along, and the DPP was taking it over.
"It's ready to move on today," he told the court.
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"The brief [has been] served, it's compliant."
Magistrate Julie Soars adjourned the case for charge certification, where the DPP will finalise the case and the charges it intends to proceed with, should it go to trial or sentence.
"The solicitor with carriage is asking for it to go over for 10 weeks given that it is a complex matter," Sergeant Baillie said.
Russell's solicitor Peter Schmidt did not object and Ms Soars adjourned the case to February. She said Russell would need to front court.
"If it is ready, he should be here," Ms Soars said.
Russell was allegedly driving a Toyota Prado towing a caravan on the Oxley Highway when it struck a railing, rolled and slammed into a tree on January 3.
Lynette Marie Russell, 72, who was in the front seat, and 38-year-old Stephen Leslie Russell, who was in the back seat, died at the scene as a result of their injuries.
Russell Snr is yet to enter pleas but is charged with two counts of dangerous driving occasioning death; negligent driving occasioning death; and towing a vehicle too heavy for the towing attachment.
He is also charged with towed vehicle exceeding the maximum laden weight; dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm (GBH); negligent driving occasioning GBH; and trying to pervert the course of justice.
If found guilty of dangerous driving occasioning death, Russell faces a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment.
A 38-year-old woman, who was trapped in the wreckage of the crash for some time, suffered head and spinal injuries and was also airlifted to Tamworth hospital.
Specialist crash investigators spent hours examining the scene, the Toyota Prado and the caravan.
After extensive investigations, Russell was charged by the Oxley Crash Investigation Unit in June and had his driver's licence suspended.
At the time, police said one dog died in the incident and another survived.
It's believed the family had set off from Tamworth and were headed east along the Oxley Highway.
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
