THE Oswestry man accused of the manslaughter of a fellow driver on the A5 between Chirk and Oswestry is now expected to appear in court on Monday, March 6.

Damien Roberts, 27, of College Road in Oswestry was charged with manslaughter on Friday, December 30 after having been treated in hospital since the incident.

He has been remanded in custody and was set to appear at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Monday, January 30, but his case was not listed. 

He will now appear in court next month at either Shrewsbury or Staffordshire Crown Court.  

Robert Mills, from Minsterley near Shrewsbury, died in the road traffic collision near the Oswestry side of the viaduct near Chirk on Friday, December 2.

The 49-year-old was driving on the bridge and was involved in the collision, which led to emergency services being called.

Attempts to save his life were made by emergency services, but Mr Mills died at the scene.

Officers were told reports that around 7pm on December 2, there was a crash involving multiple vehicles near the Gledrid roundabout between Oswestry and Chirk.

A black Nissan Qashqai, driven by Roberts, collided head-on with a white Nissan Juke, driven by Mr Mills, on the bridge over the Ceiriog River.

The Nissan Qashqai was travelling southbound on the A5, heading in the direction of Oswestry.

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Police had been waiting for more than three weeks to interview Roberts after he was taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital with serious injuries after he was arrested on suspicion of murder.

However, officers from West Mercia Police confirmed he has been charged with manslaughter in December. 

An appeal for information was made at the time of the incident by police.

Detective Chief Inspector John Weaver said: “We’d like to hear from anyone who saw the incident or witnessed anything of concern on the A5 shortly before 7pm on Friday.”

“If you have any information, or dash cam footage, that could help please email alexander.sullivan@westmercia.police.uk quoting reference 554 of 2nd December.”

A 40-mile-per-hour speed limit remains in place over the bridge as repairs for the barrier are yet to be completed on the northbound A5, heading towards Chirk and Wrexham.

An inquest into Mr Mills's death was opened last month and adjourned until April 18 this year.

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