A former Collingwood player, accused of dangerous driving leading to the deaths of two West Australian women on June 7, has been granted bail.
Thelma Clausen, 82, and Coral Seinor, 83, from the coastal town of Jurien Bay north of Perth, died when their car collided with a Toyota Prado and a road train towing two trailers on a highway about 170 kilometers north of Perth.
Police allege Shannon Cox, 38, was driving the Prado that morning when it crashed into the Suzuki hatchback driven by one of the women on Brand Highway in Cooljarloo.
A 12-year-old girl in the Prado also sustained minor injuries and was treated by paramedics at the scene.
On Thursday, Cox appeared via video link from Hakea Prison in Perth Magistrates Court. His lawyer, Paul Holmes, requested a six-week adjournment to review reports from the major crash unit.
As part of his bail conditions, Cox must report to the regional Geraldton Court three times a week, surrender his passport, and stay in Western Australia. He will be released upon signing a $20,000 undertaking and providing a similar surety.
The loss of Clausen and Seinor, who were Country Women’s Association volunteers, deeply affected their community.
“Two beautiful women who did so much together,” a branch member said. “Always smiling, always ready to share their knowledge. It’s such a tragedy to lose these two beautiful souls in the way they were taken.”
The women were on their way to celebrate the CWA Centenary at the Badgingarra Choir and Drama Festival when the crash occurred, killing them instantly.
“They truly embodied the meaning of community,” one person wrote in tribute on social media. Others described them as the “backbone of the Jurien Bay community” and “treasured icons” who worked “tirelessly” for others.
Cox was drafted from the West Australian Football League in the 2006 rookie draft and played 25 games for Collingwood over three seasons. In 2009, he played 11 of the first 13 games in the seniors before finishing the season in the VFL.
The Collingwood defender retired from professional football that year at age 23, stating he no longer had the desire to play in the AFL.
After leaving the AFL, Cox played for the Collie Eagles and Donnybrook Football Club in the South West Football League.
Cox is scheduled to appear in court again on August 8.