It’s been more than a year since the crash that killed Rachel Watts. Now an evidence stuff up has delayed the case.
Testing of evidence against alleged killer driver Xiao Bo Zhang will be delayed because more police body-worn camera footage needs to be provided to his defence team.
About an hour of footage, taken after the fatal Swan Bay crash will be made available before a magistrate decides if the case goes to trial.
The Geelong Magistrates’ Court heard on Thursday the footage showed Mr Zhang, a cardiothoracic surgeon in Geelong, in the minutes after the crash that claimed the life of Australian Equestrian Team stalwart Rachel Watts.
Xaio Bo Zhang.
Defence barrister Ian Hill KC told the court the police footage from the scene and of his client in the aftermath of the crash could impact the direction of the case.
“It is important material. It may affect the way we cross examine civilian witnesses… that captures what they saw at the scene,” Mr Hill said.
He said the footage was relevant to establishing how Mr Zhang acted after the crash.
Mr Zhang’s defence told the court at a previous hearing that his car was struck first during the fatal incident.
Three other people were taken to hospital following the crash.
Magistrate Franz Holzer ordered all police camera footage be provided to the defence and the Office of Public Prosecutions by August 1.
The court was told evidence from a fatigue expert, four members of the public and a crash reconstruction expert was due to be heard when Mr Zhang returned to court in September.
Mr Zhang’s appearance at court on Thursday came after a $1.5m surety was put up in January so he could fly to Singapore with his wife.
Rachel Watts.
Mr Zhang, who is on bail, is charged with dangerous driving causing death, culpable driving causing death, reckless conduct endangering life and failing to give way.
Police allege Mr Zhang was fatigued when his car collided with another car causing it to roll on its side and be struck by a third car at the intersection of Swan Bay Rd and Queenscliff Rd.
Commenting on delays to the case due to unavailability of witnesses and evidence not being provided to defence, Mr Holzer, who apologised to Ms Watts’ family, said: “I just think this is embarrassing.”
At the time of the crash, Ms Watts had relocated to the Geelong region to be a teacher at Marcus Oldham College.
Prior to that she worked internationally in the equine industry.
It’s understood Mr Zhang was director of cardiothoracic surgery at Geelong hospital for years until 2019.
According to the St John of God Health Care website, he completed his medical degree in 1982 in China and completed a master of medicine in 1986.
Mr Zhang’s case is due to return to court for an administrative hearing on August 23, and for a committal hearing on September 5 and 6.
Loading embed…