Accused 'dead set' he was not driving in crash that killed four
A 25-year-old man has taken the stand in the Dubbo District Court, where he is on trial after pleading not guilty to dangerous and drink-driving charges over a crash on the Newell Highway that killed four people.
Jack Bowd has pleaded not guilty to four counts of dangerous driving causing death following a fatal crash on the Newell Highway, south of Dubbo, in September 2024. Bowd insisted he was not driving at the time of the accident, while prosecutors allege he was. The crash resulted in the deaths of four individuals: Bowd's friends Joey Urban, Lochlann Jacobs, and Parkes couple Sue and Graham Tait.
Bowd testified he was not behind the wheel when the crash occurred, describing his first memories after the incident. He claims he was sitting in the back of the vehicle with an injured dog when they encountered the crash. The defense claims that Jacobs took over driving before the collision. The Crown alleges the ute was traveling over 130 km/h and attempting to overtake a larger vehicle when it collided head-on with the van.
Bowd rejected claims that his memory may be flawed due to excessive alcohol consumption. The judge is set to deliver a verdict in December.
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