A Port Kembla man accused of fleeing the scene of a serious truck accident has pleaded not guilty in court.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Brendan Roy Wouters entered not guilty pleas to several charges during a short appearance before Port Kembla Local Court on Tuesday.
Police allege the 42-year-old was driving a ute north along Five Islands Road, near Flinders Street, about 4pm on December 6 when he was involved in an accident with a semitrailer.
As a result the truck careered into an embankment and crashed into the pillars of a BlueScope train bridge, damaging the bridge at its base and crushing the front of the truck.
The 55-year-old driver was trapped in his cabin for more than an hour while NSW Fire and Rescue crews worked to free him from the wreckage.
They eventually freed the man’s pinned feet by removing the steering wheel and cutting him out of his boots.
He was taken to Wollongong Hospital with a fractured femur and minor head lacerations.
On Tuesday Wouters pleaded not guilty to one count each of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and failing to stop and assist following an accident.
He also pleaded not guilty to unrelated charges of possessing a prohibited drug and driving while his licence was suspended, relating to an incident on December 3.
The matter will return to court on February 24.
