Driver charged over fatal ute-surfing accident in Byford

A 21-year-old man has been charged over a ute-surfing accident in Byford that claimed the life of Matthew Mauger.

Matthew, 21, was sitting in the rear tray of a Mazda B2600 which was travelling on the South Western Highway around 5.15pm on January 6.

He suffered critical injuries after falling from the vehicle near Park Road.

The driver, a 21-year-old Byford man, has since been charged with dangerous driving occasioning death.

He is due to appear in the Armadale Magistrates Court on March 21.

A further four men, believed to be friends of the victim, have also been charged after allegedly hooning at the crash site the following day, January 7.

Two 21-year-old men, both from Byford, have been charged with causing smoke or excessive noise or left a substance on the driving surface of a length of road.

A 21-year-old Lesmurdie man has been charged with reckless driving and no authority to drive while a 20-year-old Mandurah man faces a reckless driving charge.

Four vehicles – a Ford Falcon sedan, Holden Commodore utility and two Holden Commodore sedans – were also impounded for 28 days.