Vic:Two drivers to stand trial over passenger death
15 Dec 2008 5:38 PM
MELBOURNE, Dec 15 AAP - Two young men accused of drag racing before a crash that killed a 15-year-old boy will stand trial.
Mitchell Cairnduff, of Wheelers Hill, died when a turbo-charged Mitsubishi Lancer driven by Jarrod Rooke hit a taxi at 120km/h, the Melbourne Magistrates Court heard.
The court heard allegations Rooke was drag racing with the driver of a blue Mazda RX7 coupe, Damian Rodi, before the crash at Wheelers Hill in February 2007.
Mr Cairnduff was a rear seat passenger in the Lancer when it crashed.
Three other people were seriously injured.
Rooke, 26, of Wheelers Hill and Rodi, 20, of Rowville, were committed to stand trial on Monday on a charge of culpable driving.
The pair are also charged with three counts of negligent driving causing serious injury, one count of reckless conduct endangering death and one count of reckless conduct endangering serious injury.
Rodi pleaded not guilty to the charges while Rooke did not enter a plea.
Magistrate Julian Fitzgerald ordered both men, who are on bail, to appear at the County Court in March for a case conference hearing.
