Melbourne man accused of causing fatal minibus crash was allegedly high on ice

A Melbourne man has faced court, charged with culpable driving after he crashed head-on into a minivan full of nursing home residents, killing two elderly women.

The 23-year-old disqualified driver from Coburg tested positive to the drug ice after the fatal smash on Wednesday, which police allege involved a stolen car.

Released from hospital into the hands of police, Michael Trueman was charged and faced court today.

Police allege Mr Trueman stole the Holden Commodore on Wednesday morning, before crashing into the nursing home minivan.

There were seven nursing home residents on board, mostly dementia patients. An 88-year-old woman died at the scene and a 91-year-old woman died in hospital.

Police charged Mr Trueman with two counts of culpable driving, two counts of dangerous driving causing death, reckless conduct endangering life, theft of a motor vehicle, and driving while disqualified.

Mr Trueman's friends were at the hearing where his lawyer told the court his client suffered from anxiety and depression.

In the out-of-sessions court hearing last night, Mr Trueman said the accident happened on the anniversary of his brother's death, and that he was on his way to a Sorrento cemetery to lay flowers on his grave.

Mr Trueman made no application for bail and will reappear in court on August 20.