Dale Kennett, 53, appeared in the online division of Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Thursday for a committal hearing.

He is charged with dangerous driving causing death, failing to stop and failing to render assistance.

Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives laid the charges over a March 10 incident in which a pedestrian was allegedly struck by a vehicle in Henry Court just after 3am.

The victim, a 48-year-old Hamilton man, died at the scene.

A large focus of the contested hearing involved whether or not the victim was already on the ground before being run over.

Lawyer Daniel Sala told the court that there was no dispute Mr Kennett was on drugs and driving the vehicle that killed the victim on the night of March 10.

But, he questioned whether the drugs in Mr Kennett's system was a sufficient element to make up the charge of dangerous driving causing death.

He also said there was no evidence that showed the man's driving was dangerous.

"Nothing connects the manner, the style, the way of driving to the death of the unfortunate complainant in this case," Mr Sala said.

Magistrate Steven Raleigh said the matters were a question for a jury and committed the man to stand trial.

Mr Kennett pleaded not guilty to the charges and will face a directions hearing on December 1.

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