Man Hong Liu: Perth man charged with dangerous driving resulting in death appears in court for first hearing

A Perth man accused of dangerous driving resulting in a crash that killed a man and injured five others has appeared in court for the first time. Man Hong Liu appeared at the Narrogin Magistrate Court via phone call on Tuesday charged with dangerous driving resulting in death, causing bodily harm and danger to the public. As the defendant’s interpreter was absent, the magistrate could not read the charges to confirm Mr Liu understood them. His defence lawyer Simon Watters gave permission for the hearing to proceed without an interpreter. Mr Watters applied to move future court hearings to a Perth court instead of Narrogin but was denied by the magistrate. Magistrate Erin O’Donnell said it was premature to decide the most appropriate venue as key witnesses may reside closer to Narrogin. The 39-year-old will return to Narrogin Magistrates Court on March 18 for legal advice. Mr Liu allegedly drove dangerously on Brookton-Corrigin Road in Bulyee where his Mitsubishi Pajero collided with a white Toyota Hilux travelling in the opposite direction on December 26, 2024. The 51-year-old driver of the Hilux died at the scene due to his injuries and the 16-year-old passenger was airlifted to Royal Perth Hospital. The accused and his 40-year-old female passenger were transported to Narrogin Health Service in a stable condition. The other two occupants of the vehicle — an eight-year-old and nine-year-old boy — were treated at Perth Children’s Hospital. Police charged Mr Liu on the day of the incident.