THE DRIVER who caused a serious head-on crash on Scott Road has pleaded guilty to an impact occasioning grievous bodily harm.
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A 65-year-old woman was hospitalised with serious abdominal and lower leg injuries in the collision after Wayne Ashley Philp's Nissan X-trail drove up the parking lane on the the wrong side of the road.
In Tamworth District Court on Friday, 48-year-old Philp pleaded guilty to driving dangerously and causing the crash.
"Wayne Ashley Philp, you stand charged by that name that on April 20, 2018 at South Tamworth in NSW you did drive a vehicle involved in an impact occasioning grievous bodily harm to [victim's name removed] and at the time of the impact you were driving in a manner dangerous to the other person," Judge Jeffery McLennan said.
"What say you, are you guilty or not guilty?"
"Guilty," Philp replied from the dock.
Defence solicitor Rae Parker is in the process of having neurological reports done on Philp to see what they reveal.
Judge McLennan offered to order a sentence assessment report before Philp's matter returns in August.
"You don't have to turn up personally on that date as long as your solicitor does," he said.
"Your bail is continued until a date for sentence is set by arrangement between the prosecution and your lawyers, do you understand?"
To which Philp replied, "Yep".
In the local court Philp faced three charges, two of which have since been dropped.
He was first charged with dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, driving while suspended and grievous bodily harm by an unlawful act.
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Dramatic dashcam footage captured in April by the car travelling in front of the victim's Holden Cruz showed a Nissan X-trail in the parking land on the wrong side of Scott Road, just before it collides with the Holden Cruz.
Philp was charged in May last year following an investigation by Tamworth police.
Judge McLennan continued Philp's bail in the district court on Friday. He has remained in the community since the incident.
Scott Road is a major thoroughfare, dashcam footage shows the Nissan X-trail swerving just before the safety barrier on the wrong side of the road near the bridge.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
