Crash Driver Faces Trial
The Age
Wednesday October 8, 2003
A recovering alcoholic will stand trial over allegations that he smashed a borrowed van into a truck, killing one man and injuring another, after a two-day drinking binge that followed a week in detox.
Robert Ryan, 43, of Hayes Avenue, Rosebud, yesterday reserved his plea in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on one count of culpable driving and two counts of negligently causing serious injury.
Patrick Bohan, 43, died in the accident, while his colleague John Clifford, 42, suffered fractured vertebrae, a broken leg and internal injuries.
Ryan's passenger, Garry Jagoe, was also injured in the smash, which occurred at Skye, near Frankston, last June.
Magistrate Phillip Goldberg ordered Ryan, who remains on bail, to face a case conference in the County Court on December 16.
Ryan will also face three lesser charges, including driving while intoxicated, on a date to be fixed.
© 2003 The Age