A Melbourne woman will stand trial for causing a horror smash in which a man was crushed to death by a 57-tonne petrol tanker on a Victorian freeway.

The driver of the tanker has not been behind the wheel of a truck since the crash, a court has heard.

Keilor woman Sophie Williams is accused of pulling out in front of the truck on the Calder Freeway in May 2016, causing the loaded tanker to swerve, roll and collide with a number of cars.

The 48-year-old faced the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Thursday, where she was ordered to stand trial on six charges, including causing the death of Ascot Vale man Duc Nguyen.

The committal hearing also heard Toll truck driver Liam McErlain suffered injuries in the dramatic collision, disrupting his work.

"He hasn't driven a truck since this incident," Detective Senior Constable David Morris said.

"There have been talks about his employment and managing his injuries."

It's alleged Williams was in a queue of traffic when she pulled out into a lane in which the tanker was approaching from behind.

The B-double truck was travelling about 97km/h and weighed some 57 tonnes, the court heard.

It swerved, triggering a crash that involved seven cars and another truck, before rolling and sliding to a halt.

One car was crushed under the tanker, which spilled thousands of litres of petrol onto the freeway.

Mr Nguyen, 48, was killed, while six people were taken to hospital.

The accident closed the busy freeway in both directions for almost 10 hours.

Williams will stand trial for dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving causing serious injury, recklessly endangering life and other charges.

Her bail was continued and she will face a directions hearing in the Victorian County Court on Friday.