A truck driver with more than 50 years experience who allegedly drove into a freight train, leaving two men dead, has been granted bail to live in a caravan park.
On Tuesday afternoon, Queensland truck driver and pensioner Kevin Maxwell Pearson, 75, faced the Adelaide Magistrates Court charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.
The pensioner, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, was in SA undertaking some “occasional truck driving work”, the court was told.
Appearing via audio visual link from the Port Pirie Magistrates Court, Mr Pearson, still wearing the hi-vis shirt he was arrested in, was granted bail to reside in a caravan park, with conditions that he check into his nearest police station every day.
The horror collision occurred at 10.30am on New Year’s Eve, leaving Port Augusta men Kevin Baker, 57, and Mick Warren, 48, with fatal injuries.
The Barrier Highway has since reopened, with speed limits in place.
Kevin Baker, 57, and Mick Warren, 48, both from Port Augusta, were in the locomotive when it struck a road train at a level crossing on the Barrier Highway just west of the NSW border into South Australia.
Kevin Pearson, 75, has been charged with causing the death of two men after allegedly colliding with a train. Picture: Facebook
Mr Pearson was taken to Broken Hill Hospital with minor injuries and has since been charged.
Kylie Pligl, for Mr Pearson, told magistrate Karim Soetratma her client had driven trucks for “over 50 years.”
“He usually resides with his wife in Tully Heads, but I can indicate that defence will be asking for Mr Pearson to be granted bail to reside within the township of Port Pirie as directed by the Department of Community Corrections,” Ms Pligl said.
Mr Soetratma indicated he would be open to allowing Mr Pearson to return to his home in Queensland, but only if he were to “put up a significant guarantee”.
“My client and his wife are both pensioners,” Ms Pligl said.
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Truckie charged over train crash gets bail
Truck driver Kevin Pearson, 75, who has been charged with causing the deaths…See more
“He only does some occasional truck driving work, which is what led him into South Australia undertaking a short assignment. If it pleases the court, my client can reside at the Solomontown Caravan Park and if so, my client will fund his own accommodation as required.
“He does not have the means to put up such a large cash surety given that he and his wife are both pensioners, and therefore should not be disadvantaged.
“He’s got no relevant criminal history, and he has some health problems. He is recovering from lung cancer and currently has prostate cancer. He’s due to see a surgeon and needs to communicate with specialists in Townsville.”
Two train drivers killed in horror truck collision on Barrier Highway, Bindarrah. Picture: Andrew Gosling
Mr Pearson was granted bail to appear in the Port Augusta Magistrates Court in April.
The Barrier Highway has reopened with a 25km/h speed limit in the Bindarrah area and is expected to be in place over the next three days.
Cranes have been brought in from Port Augusta to assist in the clean-up and clearing the containers, while the road damaged road surface will be inspected for safety.
Mr Baker’s sister, Wendy Barnes, said his death was “devastating” and would be widely felt.
She said he leaves behind his partner of 29 years, Petrea Ellis, and children Taryn, Rhys, Tyler, Dylan and Joel – plus five grandchildren and a sixth on the way.
“We are gutted by his loss,” she said.
