A man who caused a fatal collision in South Australia's mid-north was allegedly watching a wrestling DVD while driving along a highway, the District Court has heard.

Key points: Victim's car stationary at time of impact, court hears

Victim's car stationary at time of impact, court hears Accused driver allegedly did not take evasive action

Accused driver allegedly did not take evasive action Driver allegedly talking to passengers about wrestling before impact

Harvie Spencer, 86, was killed instantly when his car was rear-ended by a ute on the Augusta Highway near Port Germein in June 2013.

The court heard Mr Spencer's vehicle was stationary because he had been waiting at the intersection to turn right off the highway onto Old Port Germein Road with his indicator on when the collision occurred.

Mitchell Deane Franklin, 28, of Andrews Farm has pleaded not guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, causing harm by dangerous driving and driving with a television receiver operating.

Opening the trial, prosecutor Michael Foundas told the jury that Franklin was talking to his two passengers about the wrestling DVD moments before the collision.

"The accused did not brake, he did not swerve, he did not even reduce his speed before the impact with the deceased's vehicle," Mr Foundas told the jury.

"In fact he took no evasive action whatsoever before driving his car squarely into the back of Mr Spencer.

"You may be asking yourself why and how did that happen. Well, installed in the centre console of the accused's vehicle was a DVD player and in a position that allowed the screen to be viewed by the driver of that vehicle.

"That DVD player was on and operating and was playing a wrestling DVD.

"On the prosecution case the accused drove his vehicle into the rear of the deceased's vehicle because he was not keeping a proper lookout on the road.

"Obviously the most likely explanation for this was he was distracted by the DVD player."

Passenger required surgery for broken jaw

The court heard Franklin was driving to Adelaide from Roxby Downs where he had been working as a security guard and had two passengers who had also been in Roxby Downs looking for employment opportunities in the security industry.

Harvie Spencer was killed in the accident. ( Supplied: Chantelle Walker )

Mr Foundas told the jury both passengers were looking at their mobile phones at the time of the collision and heard Franklin talking about the wrestling DVD.

The court heard one of the passengers suffered facial injuries including a broken jaw which required surgery.

Mr Foundas said it was a clear stretch of highway and the intersection where the collision occurred could be seen from 310 metres away from Franklin's direction of travel.

"The prosecution case is if he was keeping a proper lookout he would have had ample opportunity to see Mr Spencer's vehicle in front of him waiting to turn right, he would've had ample opportunity to take the required evasive action," Mr Foundas said.

"If he had been paying proper attention with proper regard to the road he would not have collided with the rear of the vehicle."

Mr Foundas told the jury there was evidence Franklin was driving at up to 110km/h, which was the speed limit, before the collision.

The court heard the most contentious issue for the jury to decide would be whether the accused's "grossly defective" lookout amounted to dangerous driving under the law.

The trial continues.