Peter Bruce Mitchell: Esperance truckie faces court accused of dangerous driving in fatal Jerramungup crash

An Esperance truck driver accused of dangerous driving that killed a couple towing a caravan in a horrific crash on South Coast Highway earlier this year has faced court for the first time. Peter Bruce Mitchell, 59, appeared in Albany Magistrates Court on Thursday, charged with two counts of dangerous driving in circumstances which subsequently resulted in a death. Mr Mitchell did not enter pleas and his lawyer Mr Hartley sought a committal mention date, which he was granted for October 23. Magistrate Erin O’Donnell made orders for disclosure to be served by prosecution within 10 weeks, with Mr Mitchell’s bail to be extended on the same terms until his next hearing. The charges come more than three months after the crash near the Great Southern town of Jerramungup, in which an Isuzu D-Max utility towing a caravan and a truck collided, killing a man and a woman in the Isuzu. Police told reporters at the time both the Isuzu and the Kenworth truck were travelling east between Jerramungup and Ravensthorpe when they collided about 12.30pm on April 17. They said the man and woman in the Isuzu died from their injuries at the scene, and the 59-year-old truck driver was taken to Albany Health Campus for treatment. Mr Mitchell’s next appearance will be in Albany Magistrates Court on October 23.