A TAMWORTH man has been charged over the crash that claimed the life of one friend, and injured his wife and another.
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The 64-year-old local was interviewed by officers from the Crash Investigation Unit at Tamworth Police Station on Wednesday afternoon before he was charged over the July 19 crash.
Police will allege in court the man was driving in a manner dangerous when the Peugeot ran off the New England Highway, and rolled several times.
The accident happened about 25km south of Tamworth, near Goonoo Goonoo Station, about 3pm.
The impact of the rollover killed a 73-year-old Yamba man who was seated in the front seat of the car.
Hi wife, aged 64, was seated in the back of the car and was trapped in the wreckage after she was pinned under the car.
She was airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle with serious injuries but is believed to have already been released.
The driver and his wife, both aged 64, were hospitalised in Tamworth with various injuries. She suffered a fractured wrist, ribs and a sternum, police said after the accident, while the driver suffered bruising and abrasions.
Police from the Northern Tablelands Crash Investigation Unit have been piecing together the circumstances surrounding the crash, and have spoken to witnesses, including friends of the occupants, who were travelling behind and were first on the scene.
It’s understood the three couples had been to Willow Tree and were returning to Tamworth when the Peugeot left the road.
The 64-year-old driver presented himself to police on Wednesday afternoon and was questioned before he was charged with four offences.
He is facing one count of dangerous driving occasioning death by driving in a manner dangerous – a charge which carries a maximum of 10 years in prison, if convicted.
The man is also charged with one count of negligent driving occasioning death and two counts of causing bodily harm by misconduct while in charge of a motor vehicle.
He was granted bail by police and will front court for the first time in Tamworth on August 22.
Police have confirmed the man’s licence has not been suspended.