A MAN accused of causing a hit-and-run crash that killed a 91-year-old pedestrian at Mayfield in November, 2017, has appeared in court for the first time.
Benjamin Reece Matheson, now 25, was charged at Wellington Correctional Centre on Monday with dangerous driving causing death and failing to stop and render assistance causing death.
The breakthrough was the culmination of a nearly two-year investigation to try and identify the driver that struck and killed 91-year-old Mayfield West man Bernie Farrell. Mr Farrell was crossing Stedman Street in Mayfield on the way to a hair cut appointment about 12.45pm on Friday November 24, 2017, when he was struck by an SUV.
The driver did not stop, and Mr Farrell died at John Hunter Hospital from his injuries three days later.
Mr Matheson did not apply for bail in Dubbo Local Court on Tuesday and the matter was adjourned to Newcastle Local Court on November 4.
Mr Farrell, a grandfather and former airman, was described as "generous to a fault" by his daughter.
