Sydney, Jun 13 (IANS): The police Thursday told a court in Australia the gearbox of a truck driven by an Indian-origin driver that hit a car killing four people would be analysed to ascertain the driver's claim that the gearbox had jammed, the media reported.
Jobandeep Gill, 27, ran a stop sign and crashed into the car carrying five members of a family at Catani, near Melbourne, Feb 28 this year, The Sydney Morning Herald reported Thursday.
Gill, in his earlier court proceedings, contended that the gearbox had jammed as he approached an intersection, and that his truck continued moving.
The gearbox is yet to be examined, Melbourne Magistrates Court heard Thursday.
The court also granted defendant counsel permission to cross-examine some of Gill's colleagues, who would testify on his demeanour and conduct after the crash.
While Stephen Beckett, 37, Jade Beckett, 33, Ella, six, and William, two, died after the car burst into flames, nine-year-old Sammy was pulled out from the car by a passerby.
Gill, a sub-contractor for a Melbourne-based trucking company, has been charged with four counts of culpable driving causing death, four counts of dangerous driving causing death, one count of reckless conduct endangering life and one count of failing to stop at a stop sign.
Police allege that Gill failed to stop at a stop sign moments before his truck and the car collided.
Gill's bail has been extended till the court reconvenes on Oct 1.