The friends of a man who claims he was “sleep driving” on the night an Alliston road worker was hit and killed took the stand on Monday.

Two of Marcello Fracassi’s friends, who were with him in the hours before the fatal 2014 crash, were directly questioned about the accused’s unusual defence and how much he’d been drinking that night.

Brian Lafanzano was one of those friends. He was with Fracassi at a concert and strip club prior to the deadly crash that took the life of Geoff Gaston. Gaston was line painting in downtown Alliston at the time.

Under cross-examination by the Crown, Lafanzano testified that he knew Fracassi had sleep problems, but said the first time he heard of his sleepwalking was after the crash happened.

The Crown also grilled Lafanzano about how much he and Fracassi were drinking that night, suggesting Lafanzano hadn't been truthful with police.

"You wanted to minimize your and Marcellos' involvements" said the Crown.

"When I gave the interview, I may not have remembered," replied Lafanzano.

The Crown insisted that Lafanzano wanted to minimize how much they drank.

"Do you agree with me?" asked the Crown. "Yes." said Lafanzano, quietly on the stand.

Another friend and former co-worker of Fracassi's, Josh Hutchinson, said Fracassi had been having health problems, and would sometimes hyperventilate when they drove to work together.

He was questioned by the defence about Fracassi's drinking that night.

“Did you have any concerns about Marcello driving?" the defence asked.

"No. I thought everyone was fine. Everyone was talking and walking fine," Hutchinson said.

Fracassi has pleaded not guilty to several charges including impaired driving, dangerous driving causing death and failing to remain at the scene.

Fracassi is expected to take the stand on Tuesday.