The driver who had allegedly used ice when he crashed into and killed a mother and son on the road has pleaded not guilty after being committed to stand trial.
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Ryan Kenny, 31, appeared in Wangaratta Magistrates Court on Thursday to face charges including culpable driving.
It is alleged he caused the deaths of Amanda Kilmister and her 12-year-old son Harrison on the Murray Valley Highway at Brimin on November 2.
Prosecutors will argue he allegedly used methamphetamine before driving and was on the wrong side of the road in his truck.
Kenny had the right to test the evidence in a committal hearing, but chose to skip that step.
"The accused has elected not to proceed with a committal hearing so it will go straight to trial," his lawyer said.
The accused has elected not to proceed with a committal hearing so it will go straight to trial.
- Lawyer for Ryan Kenny
The decision means witnesses will only have to give evidence once at the trial, not twice at both the committal and trial stages like they often have to do in other criminal cases.
Magistrate John Murphy said based on the police brief, there was enough evidence to commit Kenny to stand trial.
Dressed in a blue shirt, Kenny stood and said "not guilty" when asked how he pleaded.
On the night of the crash, Kenny had been driving between the Wodonga and Tongala abattoirs, with a witness alleging he drove on the wrong side of the road for 600 metres at one point.
The Kilmister family had been returning home to Bundalong after going out for dinner.
Amanda's husband Paul Kilmister suffered serious injuries which he is still recovering from, and their two other young sons in the car also survived.
Paul's mother Christine Kilmister was in court yesterday to hear Kenny's not guilty plea.
Kenny, who lives in Mooroopna, will remain on bail until the case is heard.
The matter will return to the Melbourne Magistrates Court on June 27 for a directions hearing.
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