An Indian Uber driver who allegedly fell asleep at the wheel and caused a crash that killed a baby in Perth has been given permission to drive trucks while out on bail.
Rajwinder Singh Grewal, 35, had a bail variation approved in Armadale Court on Monday allowing him to work as a freight driver between 9am and 4pm, while subject to a curfew for the remaining hours of the day.
The court heard Grewal allegedly worked for up to 22 hours before dozing off at about 3.40am on March 28, resulting in him crashing his silver Toyota Kruger into a tree in Lynwood with a mother and her two young children inside, killing a 7-month-old and injuring the other two passengers, The West Australian reported.
Police said they have dashcam footage from inside the vehicle showing Grewal briefly falling asleep multiple times before the alleged crash, and have charged with him with one count of dangerous driving occasioning death and two counts of dangerous driving occasioning bodily harm.
An Uber spokesperson said the company “fatigue management processes and tools” that forced drivers to have an 8-hour break from the app after working for 12 cumulative hours, but Grewal was also working a second freight driving job, 7News reported.
During the bail application Grewal’s lawyers argued their client took breaks, was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and was not speeding.
Grewal, who remains banned from driving work that involves carrying passengers, refused to answer questions as he left court wearing a hat, sunglasses and a surgical mask.
He has not entered any pleas and will face Perth Magistrates Court on August 11.
Header image: Left, Grewal outside court. Right, the scene of the fatal alleged crash (7News).
