Repeat drug-driver Mitchell Laidlaw killed disability advocate Sue Salthouse, police allege

Ngunnawal resident Mitchell Ryan Laidlaw, 33, appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court on Friday charged with culpable driving causing death and drug-driving.

He was issued a summons last month following a police investigation into the July 20 crash that claimed the life of Ms Salthouse, who was riding a wheelchair-accessible motorcycle on the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge when the incident occurred.

Charges read to Mr Laidlaw in court on Friday allege he, as a repeat offender, was driving a black Nissan Navara with methamphetamine in his system when the crash took place.

Superintendent Corey Heldon, of ACT Policing, has previously said Mr Laidlaw's utility appeared to have hit the rear of Ms Salthouse's motorcycle.

Mr Laidlaw did not enter pleas during his brief first appearance on Friday, and told the court that he was still in the process of arranging legal representation.

Prosecutor Sam Bargwanna said the charges were so serious that the matter would eventually need to head to the ACT Supreme Court, whether that was for sentence or trial.

Special Magistrate Margaret Hunter adjourned the case until January 21, telling Mr Laidlaw he would need to enter pleas or have a lawyer acting for him on that date.

Mr Laidlaw did not comment on the allegations as he left court, and a woman who accompanied him called the media "disgusting".

Ms Salthouse, 71, won a raft of awards for her work and was the ACT's Senior Australian of the Year at the time of her death.

For decades, the highly respected former teacher was one of Canberra's most passionate advocates for people with disabilities.

She most recently worked for Lifeline and ran her own consultancy company specialising in disability.

Ms Salthouse also chaired the Women with Disabilities ACT board and advocated for the prevention of violence against women as an ambassador for Our Watch.