A MAN accused of hitting a pedestrian at Hamilton on Thursday, leaving the 73-year-old with life-threatening injuries, including fractures to his skull and spine, has been granted bail in Newcastle Local Court.
Head down, handcuffed and with a mask covering much of his face, Bernard Francis Walsh, 66, appeared in court on Friday charged with dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.
The retiree, who the court heard had been living in his car, did not enter a plea, but applied for bail, his solicitor, Adam Ryan, arguing there was nothing to suggest Walsh had committed "a major driving breach" before the tragic accident.
He said Walsh had no criminal record and only two minor traffic matters in 50 years of driving, and could be released on bail on a number of conditions, including reporting to police and an order not to get behind the wheel of a car.
Prosecutors opposed bail due to the seriousness of the pedestrian's injuries and the fact that Walsh had nowhere to live given investigators had seized his vehicle.
Police said the latest update on Friday morning revealed the 73-year-old pedestrian had a skull fracture, a spinal fracture and a brain injury and was currently intubated with "no prognosis as to whether he will recover from his injuries".
Prosecutors have referred the matter to the DPP and flagged the possibility of further charges being laid.
Walsh "stopped immediately to help" the injured man, the court heard. He was taken to John Hunter Hospital, while Walsh was taken to the same hospital for mandatory testing.
He was later charged and refused bail by police, due to the issue of not having a fixed address.
But on Friday, Magistrate Ian Cheetham gave Walsh conditional bail and ordered that he report to police and provide them with his new address within 48 hours.
The matter was adjourned until next month.
