Police allege P-plater drove dangerously for 15 minutes before Knights crash

Police allege P-plater drove dangerously for 15 minutes before Newcastle crash In short: Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe, 18, is accused of driving a car that crashed and injured 10 people as thousands of Newcastle Knights fans lined the streets of Wallsend earlier this month. He is facing 17 charges relating to alleged dangerous and negligent driving over a 15-minute period. What's next? The matter will return to court in December. Police say a P-plater's alleged dangerous and negligent driving started 15 minutes before a crash that injured 10 Newcastle Knights fans on the eve of the NRL grand final earlier this month. More details emerged about the nature of the charges against driver Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe in Newcastle Local Court today. The 18-year-old is facing 17 charges relating to a crash on the Newcastle Link Road at Wallsend, where thousands of Newcastle Knights fans had gathered to farewell the team on October 3. Ten people were hospitalised with two victims, including a five-year-old girl, in a critical condition. Alleged timeline before crash Police charge sheets have outlined a timeline of events before the crash. They allege Mr Samarasinghe's offending started at 9:20am on October 3, continuing until 9:35am. There are also details of when his vehicle allegedly moved towards the crowd, striking one of those critically injured. The charge sheet listed the time of impact as 9:29am, after Mr Samarasinghe drifted out of his lane on the Newcastle Link Road. Police allege Mr Samarasinghe was in charge of a BMW vehicle bearing the plates INDIKA and was driving the vehicle dangerously. Seventeen charges laid Mr Samarasinghe was initially charged with nine offences, including three counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and three counts of negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm. He was also accused of three counts of causing bodily harm by misconduct while being in charge of a motor vehicle. On Tuesday a further six counts of causing bodily harm by misconduct using a motor vehicle were added. A further two charges of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm–driving in a manner dangerous and negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm have now been laid. Conditional bail granted Mr Samarasinghe initially made no application for bail, but it was eventually granted after a review hearing on Friday. Conditions included that he surrender his passport, report to police daily and not enter Newcastle, unless it was to attend court. He is also banned from driving any motor vehicle, electric bike or scooter. Police attached to the case have continued reviewing videos of the moments before and after the crash. During proceedings, Mr Samarasinghe's new solicitor James Janke told the court the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions had elected to prosecute the matter. Mr Samarasinghe was excused from attending court today. The case has been adjourned until December 9, when the 18-year-old will once again be excused from attending.