A MAN will face trial later this year, accused of driving dangerously and causing the death of his passenger in a crash near Tamworth last year.
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Csaba Somogyi was flanked by his solicitor as he appeared via video link in Tamworth Local Court and was formally committed for trial.
Somogyi's solicitor Matthew Lorkin said his client was denying the allegations.
"Not guilty as I understand it, both matters are going to be committed," he told the court.
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DPP solicitor Max Dickson said the Crown had certified sequence two, an allegation of dangerous driving occasioning death by driving in a manner dangerous.
He said a case conference certificate would be filed with the court, and an allegation of negligent driving occasioning death would be placed on a 166 certificate to follow the trial as a back-up offence.
Magistrate Julie Soars committed Somogyi for trial in Tamworth District Court and he will face an arraignment to enter pleas in late-February.
"And bail to continue," Ms Soars said.
The charges stem from a crash during the Riverina Redneck Rally near Manilla on March 5 last year where a man, who was a passenger, died at the scene.
In November, the DPP and defence asked for further time for negotiations after the court was told the parties had held a case conference to discuss issues in the matter, but wanted more time to hold another one.
In October, the court heard the DPP had certified the charge of dangerous driving occasioning death by driving in a manner dangerous, and would proceed on that charge.
Somogyi was behind the wheel of a Volkswagon Golf in the deadly crash on March 5, 2020, on Banoon Road at Banoon, near Borah Creek, just out of Manilla.
Police allege he lost control of the hatchback just after 1pm, and rolled several times before crashing into a tree.
Somogyi was treated for multiple injuries, while his passenger, a 49-year-old man, died at the scene, about 80km from Tamworth.
The pair were competing in the Riverina Redneck Rally and were en route from Warialda to Nundle on the day in question.
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
