Bail for fatal SA crash accused

A trucking company owner accused of killing one of his drivers by failing to maintain the vehicle's brakes has been granted home detention bail.

Peter Francis Colbert, 55, of Athol Park in Adelaide, has been in custody on remand since May when he was refused bail in the Adelaide Magistrates Court.

But Justice Tim Stanley granted him home detention bail in the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

Colbert has pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of Robert Brimson, 45.

The Salisbury father of two was killed when the truck he was driving crashed into a road sign at Happy Valley on March 7.

Colbert also has pleaded not guilty to endangering the lives of two other drivers on the same day, after they earlier drove the truck involved in the fatal crash.

The crown alleges the cause of the crash was brake failure and Mr Brimson's deliberate actions in swerving to avoid a collision saved the lives of other drivers.

The District Court has previously been told that manslaughter through gross negligence was a very unusual charge and such a matter had not before been tried in South Australia.

The case will return to the Supreme Court for directions on February 27.