Christian Scholl, the Wangaratta truck driver facing 24 charges, including 11 counts of culpable driving and 10 of negligently causing serious injury following the now infamous Kerang rail disaster which killed 11 people in June of last year has pleaded not guilty in the Bendigo Magistrates Court.
Magistrate Bruce Cottrill found the evidence sufficient to commit Mr Scholl for trial.
The trial is expected to begin as early as September.
A crash investigation expert gave evidence a truck would need 120m, or 7.16 seconds, of emergency braking to stop in time. Sgt Peter Bellion said calculations showed Mr Scholl reacted 90m before the crossing, leaving just 3.76 seconds before impact.
He said visibility tests showed the train and flashing warning lights were visible for at least one kilometre..
Tendered documents revealed the truck was unroadworthy, but that hadn’t contributed to the crash.
Mr Scholl was bailed to appear in the Supreme Court next month.
Obviously, like many in the community I have strong views on this issue and the media coverage which has surrounded it.
It would be improper of me to comment until the trial has concluded.
Damn, How did he not die driving into a train at 120 kph?