Edna Galas Flores Norton: Woman accused of causing crash killing Albany mother Nicole Weeden pleads not guilty

The woman accused of causing the collision that killed Albany mother Nicole Weeden has pled not guilty to the charge of dangerous driving causing death. Requiring assistance to stand and sit, and supported by a crutch, Edna Galas Flores Norton appeared in Albany Magistrates Court earlier today on two charges relating to the fatal crash in August 2022. The 68-year-old spoke only to enter a plea of not guilty to the more serious charge of dangerous driving causing death. The case will now go to trial. Ms Norton remains on bail and will next appear for a trial listing hearing in Albany District Court on February 7. The second charge of dangerous driving causing bodily harm in a manner that was dangerous to the public was adjourned for April 11. More than a year has now passed since Ms Weeden was killed in a car crash on August 6, 2022. The mother of four was driving her youngest daughter from Mt Barker to Albany when their Isuzu MU-X was involved in a head-on collision with a Toyota Prado on Albany Highway. Ms Weeden died of her injuries at the scene, and her daughter suffered broken bones in the crash. Ms Norton, who sustained serious injuries in the collision, was charged with dangerous driving causing death and bodily harm in March. After a non-attendance at her first appearance, for reasons Ms Norton’s defence lawyer said were related to mobility issues and her recovery from the crash, Magistrate Dianne Scaddan adjourned the matter to April, threatening to issue an arrest warrant if Ms Norton did not appear. On April 11, Ms Norton appeared in Albany Magistrates Court, speaking only to confirm that she understood the charges. During the short court hearing, she walked with crutches and appeared to be in pain as she sat down. The case was adjourned for a further two months to allow time to conduct medical assessments and receive hospital records. It was brought back to the court on August 31, at which time it was thought Ms Norton would enter a plea, but the defence sought another adjournment after the prosecution’s evidence was provided just three days before the hearing. Magistrate Scaddan allowed the adjournment to give the defence the time to review the prosecution’s disclosure and said Ms Norton would need to enter a plea at her next court date on October 5.