In short:
James Paul Bryson has pleaded guilty to two charges relating to a crash in which Dennis Frazer and Deborah Thomson, from Warrnambool, died.
He had a blood-alcohol concentration of above 0.08 when his ute collided with the couple’s car.
What’s next?
Bryson will appear for sentencing submissions in October.
A 21-year-old from South Australia’s South East has pleaded guilty to two charges of death by dangerous driving over a fatal crash on the Riddoch Highway last November, but a bid for him to be immediately placed into custody failed.
The Mount Gambier Magistrates Court heard James Paul Bryson had a blood-alcohol concentration of above 0.08 when he crashed into another car at Willalooka, killing a couple from Victoria — Dennis Frazer, 77, and Deborah Thomson, 65.
Three of Mr Frazer’s five children were present for the quick committal hearing, along with Mr Frazer’s brother.
Mr Frazer and Ms Thomson were from Warrnambool, in south-west Victoria.
They died at the scene.
Call to revoke bail denied
Police said Bryson’s ute collided with a Ford driven by the couple at the intersection of the Riddoch Highway and Mcgrice Road on November 18.
Bryson was taken to the Mount Gambier Hospital with serious injuries.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) asked for Bryson’s bail to be revoked but magistrate Koula Kossiavelos said not enough notice had been given for his defence lawyer to respond.
Mr Kossiavelos said the DPP would make a separate application for Bryson to go into custody.
Sentencing submissions will be heard in the District Court in October.
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