A TAMWORTH man will stand trial, accused of the dangerous-driving death of a little boy in a crash in 2018.
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The man, who is now aged in his 20s, cannot be identified for legal reasons.
He appeared in Tamworth Local Court on charges of dangerous driving occasioning death by driving in a manner dangerous, as well as one charge of negligent driving causing death.
The man was not formally required to enter his not guilty plea, but was committed for trial to the district court on the dangerous driving charge.
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Magistrate Peter Thompson was told the negligent driving offence was a back-up charge and was referred to the same court on a 166 certificate to be dealt with after trial.
Mr Thompson adjourned the case to June to Tamworth District Court where the accused will front an arraignment hearing to formally enter his plea.
The man is not on bail for the allegations, stemming from the December 16 crash in 2018 near Moonbi.
The young boy, aged 3, died at the crash scene on the New England Highway.
Crash investigators allege the man's ute, which was travelling south that afternoon, left the road and struck a tree.
The crash claimed the life of the boy, who was seated in the back.
The driver was taken to hospital for mandatory testing.
After an extensive police probe by the Crash Investigation Unit in Tamworth, the man was charged in May last year and had his licence suspended.
The accused fronted court for the first time in June and successfully applied to have his licence reinstated.
Police did not oppose the application, and the magistrate at the time found special circumstances in the appeal, allowing the man to have his licence back while the case proceeded.
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
