Driver set for trial over crash that killed two passengers

Sagar Bhattarai with the Mazda 6 sedan before the fatal crash. Picture: Facebook

A driver who allegedly tried to flee the country after rolling a car and killing two of his passengers is set to stand trial on four charges.

Sagar Bhattarai, 23, was arrested at Sydney Airport on August 2 last year, five days after a fatal crash that left a Mazda 6 sedan on its roof by the side of the Monaro Highway.

The incident just north of Cooma resulted in the deaths of Nepalese students Gopal Bhandari, 21, and Samikshya Subedi, a 22-year-old who was ejected from the car.

Two other passengers escaped with non-life-threatening injuries, while Mr Bhattarai suffered a serious head laceration.

Samikshya Subedi, who was ejected from the Mazda 6 and killed. Picture: Facebook

The five occupants of the car, all aged in their late teens or early 20s, were on their way from Sydney to the snow when the crash occurred.

Mr Bhattarai was charged with 12 offences as a result of the incident, and he has been in custody on remand since his arrest.

The 23-year-old man appeared in Queanbeyan Local Court via audio-visual link on Tuesday morning, and pleaded not guilty to:

• Two counts of dangerous driving occasioning death;
  
• One count of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm; and
  
• One count of causing bodily harm by misconduct in charge of a motor vehicle.

Magistrate Roger Clisdell committed him for trial in the NSW District Court on those four charges.

Gopal Bhandari, who died in the crash on July 28 last year. Picture: Facebook

Mr Clisdell said the trial, for which dates are yet to be set, would be held in either Queanbeyan or Goulburn.

Prosecutor Kim Stanley withdrew two manslaughter charges following a recent case conference with Mr Bhattarai's lawyers.

The remaining six charges, which are either back-up or related charges, were referred to the District Court to be dealt with at the conclusion of the trial.

Those charges are:

• Two counts of negligent driving occasioning death;
  
• One count of negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm;
  
• One count of low-range drink-driving;
  
• One count of reckless or furious driving; and
  
• One count of causing bodily harm by misconduct in charge of a motor vehicle.

The court heard trial dates would likely be fixed during a phone hook-up on September 30.