Driver accused of murder may never stand trial due to ‘brain damage’

A Perth driver accused of a deadly highway rampage that killed an innocent mother may never be fit to stand trial.

Shaun Southern has been charged with murder over the crash in Capel in February, which killed Jenni Pratt.

He is accused of deliberately driving head-on into a car on Bussell Highway after veering onto the wrong side of the road and swerving for kilometres before crashing.

The 45-year-old was critically injured in the crash and was only released from hospital earlier this month. He has since been moved to Casuarina Prison.

His lawyer Kathryn Heslop says Mr Southern is not fit to plead to the charges because he suffered brain damage.

She said further neuropsychological testing is needed to determine if he will ever be fit.

Mr Southern was remanded in Casuarina Prison and will appear in Stirling Gardens Magistrate’s Court in August.