Robert Dwayne Watson appeared in Albany Magistrates Court on January 22.
UPDATE: A man has been charged with manslaughter following a deadly crash on Albany Highway in Narrikup that claimed the life of a 30-year-old man on April 24, 2025. The accused, Robert Dwayne Watson, 53, appeared in Albany Magistrates Court on Thursday, where significant changes to his charges were announced, intensifying the legal proceedings against him.
In a shocking turn of events, prosecutors upgraded the charges against Watson, formerly facing dangerous driving causing death, after it was revealed that the fatal crash occurred when the Nissan Micra driven by the victim collided with Watson’s Holden Rodeo utility around 6:30 AM. Emergency services, including St John WA and local fire rescue teams, rushed to the scene, but the 30-year-old succumbed to his injuries.
Watson sustained serious injuries himself and was initially charged with dangerous driving causing death in circumstances of aggravation, along with driving while impaired by drugs and operating a vehicle with a suspended license. Authorities have confirmed that he is also facing a separate charge related to dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm from an alleged incident in Wattle Grove on December 9, 2024, to which he pleaded not guilty in September.
During Thursday’s court proceedings, Police prosecutor Sgt. Gary Simpson successfully requested to discontinue the previous charge of dangerous driving causing death, replacing it with a new charge of unlawfully killing another under circumstances not amounting to murder. Magistrate Rosemarie Myers accepted this motion, signaling a shift in the legal landscape for Watson.
Defence attorney Wendy Stewart indicated that Watson’s legal representation would transition to a lawyer in Perth, prompting a request for the case to be moved to Stirling Gardens Magistrate Court. The court granted this request, and Watson’s next appearance is scheduled for February 18.
This tragic incident has left the local community in shock, highlighting the severe consequences of impaired driving. As the case unfolds, the impact on the victim’s family and the broader community remains profound, emphasizing the urgent need for road safety awareness.
Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story progresses through the legal system.
