The driver of a white Audi Q3 charged over a fatal multi vehicle crash at Narooma two and a half years ago has been acquitted of all charges.
42-year-old Adelaide physiotherapist Robert Solerno sat through a two-day hearing in Batemans Bay Local Court this week after previously pleading not guilty to negligent driving occasioning death, grievous bodily harm and causing bodily harm by misconduct of a vehicle.
39-year-old Holly Deacon, who was driving a Toyota Camry in the opposite direction died in the head on collision on the Princes Highway in December 2022.
The court heard Mr Solerno had left Sale in Victoria at 10 o’clock on the day of the crash on a drive from Adelaide to Sydney and had planned to stop overnight at Batemans Bay.
The Crown argued he was responsible for the crash after veering onto the wrong side of the road while negotiating a right-side bend on a wet surface just outside the coastal town.
His defence Greg Goold told the court the prosecution did not prove their case including being able to rule out the possibility of his client’s vehicle suddenly aquaplaning onto the wrong side of the road.
After hearing from a number of witnesses including a police crash investigator, an accident investigation expert consultant and several eyewitnesses, Magistrate Doug Dick told the court he was not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr Solerno was guilty of the charges and dismissed them.
“It will continue to impact on the lives of many for many years to come,” Magistrate Dick told the court.
“Fault is not always to be found. There is no clear indication on what caused the action.”
Mr Solerno met briefly with his lawyer outside the courtroom before being heard ringing a loved one to tell them he had just been acquitted.
