A young man who allegedly caused a crash that killed a senior police officer and a mother in April has pleaded not guilty.
Harrison Kitt pleaded not guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of causing aggravated harm by dangerous driving in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday morning.
David Edwardson QC, for Mr Kitt, told the court that his client has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and has manic episodes and psychotic features.
He said the diagnosis had been confirmed by a clinical psychiatrist at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
Senior police officer Joanne Shanahan and mother Tania McNeill died in the crash at the intersection of Cross Road and Fullarton Road at Urrbrae on April 25.
Ms Shanahan's husband, Peter Shanahan, was driving the couple's Holden SUV and was taken to hospital for treatment before being discharged.
The court heard reports into Mr Kitt's mental competence could not be ordered until he has been committed to the District Court.
Mr Kitt has been ordered to stand trial in the District Court of South Australia.
Under the legislation — section 269c of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act — in order to find a defendant mentally incompetent, a court has to be satisfied the defendant was not able to appreciate or control their actions.
Magistrate Jay McGrath set an arraignment date in the District Court for January 15, 2021.
