An elderly man has been charged today in relation to a fatal single-vehicle crash in the state’s Orana region earlier this year and will face court next month.

On Tuesday 29 June 2021, emergency services were called the Newell Highway, about 10km south of Gilgandra, following reports a Toyota Rav4 had left the roadway and crashed into a tree at about 1pm.

The driver – an 80-year-old man – was airlifted in a critical condition to hospital and has since been released.

His passenger – a 78-year-old woman – died at the scene.

The Central-West and Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit established a crime scene and commenced an investigation with assistance from Orana-Mid Western Police District.

Following extensive inquiries, the driver was arrested at Gilgandra Police Station about 9am today (Monday 1 November 2021).

He was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death, and negligent driving (occasioning death). His driver’s licence was also suspended.

The man was granted conditional bail to appear in Gilgandra Local Court on Friday 10 December 2021.