Mr Singh's lawyer Steven Pica said his client has been an inpatient since his arrest on Wednesday night. He has been “distressed and saddened by the tragic consequences” of the crash, the court heard.
“There is a suggestion in the remand material that he may have had … an undiagnosed psychiatric condition for the whole of his life,” Mr Pica said.
The four Victorian police officers killed in the Eastern Freeway crash, from left, Constable Josh Prestney, Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Senior Constable Kevin King and Constable Glen Humphris.Credit:The Age
Mr Singh was medicated at one stage for anxiety and panic attacks, but hasn’t been taking that medication for some time, he said.
Mr Pica requested his client receive psychiatric treatment while in custody. No application for bail was made.
The 47-year-old father was under police guard at the Royal Melbourne Hospital until Sunday night, having suffered a medical episode that caused him to black out immediately after the crash.
Mr Singh will not face court again for more than five months as police collect complex collision reconstruction data, including CCTV and body-worn camera footage and forensic analysis of the scene.
The prosecutor told the court police needed longer than usual to serve the hand-up brief as there are a “number of analyses that need to be undertaken in this matter”, including collecting information about the truck from overseas.
The court also heard Mr Singh will not be a co-accused alongside Porsche driver Richard Pusey, who allegedly fled the scene of the accident after he had been pulled over by the police on the Eastern Freeway.
The prosecutor said the cases didn’t need to be run together and they will have separate committal hearings.
Mr Singh will return to court on October 1.
Mohinder Singh's lawyer Steven Pica leaves the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday.Credit:AAP
The offence of culpable driving causing death is committed when a person causes the death of another person by driving a vehicle negligently, recklessly or while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
It carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
At a press conference on Monday, police said two search warrants had been executed at homes in Frankston and Croydon.
The residents of the properties are linked to Connect Logistics, the trucking business which employed Mr Singh.
Assistant Commissioner Libby Murphy on Monday morning.Credit:James Ross/AAP
Assistant Commissioner Libby Murphy would not say what had been seized but said it was standard procedure for police to be looking for documents during these kinds of raids.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the major collision investigation unit, the heavy vehicle unit and the homicide squad.
Police are also appealing for anyone who saw the truck before the crash to contact police. It is a Volvo prime mover with the Queensland registration XV85IE with a trailer with registration 84IQWQ.
Ms Murphy said police did not believe Mr Singh knew Mr Pusey.
"That was a line of inquiry at initial stages but it’s not our priority at the moment. We have found nothing to indicate they are related to each other or know each other."
She also thanked the passersby who stopped at the crash scene, which she described as "quite horrendous", to help the injured.
Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt said he was aware a person had been charged over the crash and did not want to comment on the allegations while the matter is before the court.
"We do wish to again sincerely thank the emergency services workers, everyday motorists and healthcare workers who tended to our members in their final moments," he said.
"We hope that the comfort you provided to them will in turn provide some comfort to their grieving families."
If you or anyone you know needs support call Lifeline 131 114, or beyondblue 1300 224 636.
Simone is a crime reporter for The Age. Most recently she covered breaking news for The Age, and before that for The Australian in Melbourne.
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2020-04-27 06:01:45Z
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