http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23411115-5006003,00.html
AUSSIE race driver Troy Critchley, who was at the wheel of an
out-of-control
drag racing car which killed six young spectators in the US in June and
injured more than 20 others, has been charged with six counts of homicide
following the tragic crash.
Critchley, who appeared in a Tennessee court this morning for a bond
hearing, will face trial after being charged with six counts of homicide
with a vehicle due to recklessness and 22 counts of reckless aggravated
assault.
He was placed under a $A38,900 ($US35,000) bond and was ordered to
surrender
his pass****t.
The 38-year-old, who was driving the modified drag-racing car that plowed
into a crowd during a children's charity parade on June 16, was indicted
March 4 but the charges remained under seal until today.
Queensland-born Critchley - who lives in the Texas city of Wylie - was
swamped by local media as he left the courthouse with his wife Kimberly
and
defence lawyer Robert Hutton.
The incident happened when the car careened out of control while Critchley
performed a "burnout", where a driver spins the tires of his car to send
up
clouds of smoke.
The burnout was staged on a city street with no protective barriers
between
the dragster and hundreds of spectators on both sides.
It took place at the Cars for Kids charity event in the Tennessee town of
Selmer, 130km east of Memphis.
Six spectators died from injuries suffered in the crash and 22 victims
suffered serious injuries requiring hospitalisation and, in some cases,
continued rehabilitation.
The drag racer is also named in lawsuits filed by relatives of victims and
people who were hurt.
The suits, some also naming the city and Cars for Kids, contend Critchley
was driving recklessly.
The bond hearing in McNairy County Circuit Court featured testimony from
several witnesses.
Selmer Police Chief Neil Burks testified at Thursday's hearing that the
Cars
for Kids charity event was organized and handled the same way as in
previous
years. He said people were asked to get back from the street.
Testifying as an expert witness for Critchley, race car builder Bobby
Umstead said revving the motor did not affect the speed of Critchley's
dragster.
A Critchley family friend also testified on his behalf.
Critchley and his lawyer could not be reached for comment.
Texas lawyer William Reid, who has represented Critchley, has previously
said the crash had left the Australian driver devastated emotionally and
ruined financially.
A special session of the McNairy County Grand Jury indicted Critchley when
it convened earlier this month to decide if any criminal charges should be
filed in the case.
Tennessee Highway Patrol investigators interviewed more than 250 witnesses
relative to the crash, including Critchley and his crew of mechanics.
A specialist team investigators conducted a complete reconstruction of the
crash scene.
An internationally-recognized expert in crash reconstruction and
mechanical
inspections was hired to conduct a comprehensive vehicle autopsy of the
race
car, with the evidence was turned over to District Attorney General Mike
Dunavant.
Department of Safety Commissioner Dave Mitchell said the eight-month
investigation had been thorough.
"Investigators left no stone unturned in the investigation of this tragic
and deadly crash," he said.
Routine blood tests, which Critchley voluntarily submitted, confirmed that
he had no drugs or alcohol in his system at the time of the crash.
The detailed do***ents and re****ts into the crash remain confidential as
part of the on-going prosecution in the case.
Court records show Critchley was convicted of drink driving in Virginia in
2000.
He lost his driver's license for a year and paid $A425 in fines and court
costs.
The judge scheduled the trial for November 3.
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