Emergency crews were called to the New England Highway on May 10 after a truck, ute, four-wheel-drive and car were involved in a collision. The driver of the ute, a 30-year-old man from Ellalong, suffered multiple injuries and died at the scene. The driver of the four-wheel-drive, a 55-year-old woman from Thornton, was taken to John hunter Hospital with suspected back injuries.

The truck driver, a 55-year-old man from Butterwick, and the driver of the car, a 49-year-old woman from Metford, were uninjured and taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

Police charged the 55-year-old man with negligent driving occasioning death and dangerous driving occasioning death on August 27. He will face Maitland court on November 3.