The lawyer for a truck driver charged over a fatal Mullengandra crash fears outstanding blood analysis for methamphetamine could delay the case by months.
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Jamie William Egan, 46, was arrested and charged with several serious matters after he crashed into a utility on the Hume Freeway.
The other driver, 63, was killed in the crash, which happened on March 28.
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Albury Local Court was initially told by prosecutor Sergeant Andrew Coombs this week that the wait for an expert analysis of results from the ACT could take between six and eight weeks.
But defence lawyer Rocco Gramoglia, appearing via a video link to Sydney, suggested to magistrate Rodney Brender that this was highly unlikely.
Mr Gramoglia said he "appreciated (Sergeant Coombs') optimism" but believed the wait for the inclusion of the blood analysis in the prosecution brief was "more likely six to eight months".
He said that timeline was based on the test results undergoing further analysis by the defence.
Egan faces a string of drug and driving charges, including dangerous driving occasioning death and negligent driving occasioning death.
He was not required to appear in court this week provided he was legally represented, something that was further granted to him for the next mention of the case.
Sergeant Coombs said the blood analysis was crucial to the matter moving forward.
"I understand that analysis will make or break the prosecution of the charge," he said.
"I don't know of any other tests."
Earlier, Sergeant Coombs pointed out the need to extend the time frame for finalising the brief of evidence against Egan.
"Unfortunately, the evidence is still outstanding," he said.
Sergeant Coombs said there was an earlier application to obtain the blood sample from public health authorities in the ACT.
"The initial application was rejected," he said.
A second application had been successful, Sergeant Coombs said, but now "a report must be obtained from an expert".
Mr Brender adjourned the case to January 21.