Tag Archives: court

Cops drop charges in head-on bike crash

Criminal charges have been dropped against the daughter of renowned Australian neurosurgeon Charlie Teo for driving on the wrong side of the road and crashing head-on into a bike ridden by former Comanchero William “Jock” Ross (pictured) at Wiseman’s Ferry in September 2019.

Police had alleged that Nicola Annabel Teo, 24, was driving her LandCruiser on the wrong side of the road for 200m before the crash with the 72-year-old Harley rider who suffered extensive, head leg and internal injuries and still walks with the aid of a crutch.

Nicola Teo Jock Ross
Nicola with her LandCruiser

Teo had been charged with dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving, not driving on the left hand side of the road and not giving particulars to the police.

However, this week NSW Police prosecutors dropped all charges just before the matter was to be heard in the Downing Centre District Court.

That means Nicole, who pleaded not guilty, will not face any penalties and will retain her licence.

The Director of Public Prosecutions has not offered any reason for the decision to drop the case.

Jock’s injuries forced him to quit his job with the Rural Fire Brigade.

The Glasgow-born former soldier was one of five founders of the Comancheros on the New South Wales Central Coast in 1966 and was ‘supreme commander’ when they were involved in the 1984 Milperra Massacre.

Langen Motorcycles' First Brainchild - The Langen Two-Stroke
Nicola Teo Jock Ross
Nicola with her LandCruiser

Four Comancheros, two Bandidos and a 14-year-old girl died in the infamous shootout.

Jock received gunshot to the head and suffers permanent vision loss and a brain injury.

He was jailed for murder in 1987 over his role in instigating the massacre and was released in 1992 after serving five years.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Teen rider charged over fatal motorcycle crash

A teenage rider has now been charged following investigations into a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred in NSW earlier this year.

A Toyota Aurion and a motorcycle collided about 11.30pm on Sunday 10 May 2020 on Hertford Street, Berkeley.

Lake Illawarra Police Area Command officers found a 17-year-old boy and his 16-year-old female pillion passenger, suffering serious injuries.

They were both treated at the scene before being taken to hospital for treatment.

The male driver of a Toyota Aurion, aged 18, was also taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

On Thursday 14 May 2020, the 16-year-old girl died in hospital.

Officers from the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit yesterday (Saturday 15 August 2020) charged the 17-year-old male rider.

He was issued with a Court Attendance Noticed for dangerous driving occasioning death, and negligent driving occasioning death.

The teenager is due to appear in a children’s court on Tuesday 13 October 2020.

Under the rules governing NSW Children’s Court, we will not be able to publish any identifying details.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Man in court over pillion death

A 43-year-old male driver has been bailed in a Sydney court today over the death of a motorcycle pillion and the injury of the rider in a three-vehicle crash in Moorebank in July 2020.

Yoshiaki Watanabe was charged with:

  • Dangerous driving occasioning death — drive manner dangerous;
  • dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm — drive manner dangerous;
  • negligent driving (occasioning death); and
  • negligent driving (occasions grievous bodily harm).

He appeared in Campbelltown Local Court today where the matter was adjourned to 7 October 2020 when Watanabe will be excused from attending. He was released on conditional bail.

The incident occurred about 10am on Sunday 19 July 2020, on Moorebank Avenue, near Church Road, Moorebank, when two cars and a motorcycle collided.

The motorcycle rider, a 34-year-old man, was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition.

Sadly, his 41-year-old female pillion died at the scene.

The driver of a silver Lexus, a 36-year-old man, and Watanabe, the driver of a red Mazda CX5, were uninjured and taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit officers arrested Watanabe at a unit on Hosking Crescent, Glenfield, about 7.40 that night.

He was taken to Campbelltown Police Station, charged and granted conditional bail.

Investigators are continuing to appeal to motorists who witnessed the crash or who may have dash cam vision to come forward.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

Our condolences to the pillion’s family and friends and our best wishes for a full and speedy recovery for the rider.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Driver in court over hitting club riders

A 52-year-old driver who ploughed his Kia Rio head-on into several club riders in Kyogle, northern NSW, killing one and injuring four others last year has face court in Lismore.

Royce McCocker, of Warwick, Queensland, was charged on 26 March 2020 for the accident that occurred on Sunday, 20 October 2019.

He was to have faced Kyogle Local Court on 10 June 2020, but that was moved to 29 July in Lismore Local Court because of COVID-19.

His matter was re-listed in court this week for 26 August 2020.

Club riders

The carnage occurred when six club riders from the Sons Of The Southern Cross SMC were heading south out of Kyogle and the Kia was heading north, allegedly on the wrong side of the road.

One of the club riders, Wes “Pop” Carlton, 55, suffered critical injuries and sadly died at the scene.

Wes "Pop" Carlton club riders
Wes “Pop” Carlton (Image: Facebook)

Another rider, a 56-year-old man, suffered serious injuries and was taken to Lismore Base Hospital before being airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

The other two riders, aged 52 and 53, suffered serious injuries and were taken to Lismore Base Hospital for treatment.

The injured riders were named as “Smiley, Wellsy and Browny”.

Two more riding in the SOTSC group were not hit.

Driver charged

The driver and sole-occupant of the car, a 52-year-old man, was trapped for a short time before being released and taken to Lismore Hospital for treatment and mandatory testing.

Car ploughed into riders
Image: Seven News

Officers from Richmond Police District established a crime scene, which was examined by the Far North Coast Crash Investigations Unit.

Following extensive inquiries, the 52-year-old driver was arrested on 26 March 2020 at his Warwick home.

He was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death, three counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving occasioning death, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, and driver not keep left of centre dividing line.

His licence has been suspended.

Our sincere condolences to the families and friends of all riders killed and our best wishes for a full and speedy recovery for all those injured in these crashes.

Group crashes

Pick-Up crash with US riders accident
North American group riding crash (Image: Associated Press)

Riders are vulnerable road users, but when they are riding in a group they present a bigger target and the results can be carnage.

We have reported on several group crashes in recent months in Australia.

Crash injured accident avoidIn March 2020, two riders and a pillion were injured when two motorcycles collided head-on (pictured above) and in the same week, two riders travelling the same direction collided and one rider crashed and sadly died.

But the most tragic was the crash in North America where an unlicensed pick-up truck driver ploughed into 10 bikes, killing seven riders.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Jail for driver who hit bike and fled

A Sydney woman is serving an 18-month jail term after she fled the scene of a crash in which her car hit a motorcycle head-on in April last year.

Molly Cahill, 23, of Sans Souci, was found guilty in Sutherland Local Court in May 2020 and sentenced on 2 July on dangerous driving charges.

Police told court Cahill was driving her Peugeot hatchback on the wrong side of Forest Road in Peakhurst about 1.20am on 8 April 2019 when she hit a motorcycle head-on.

Rider Tony Nissirios, 38, and his female partner Sam, 26, were thrown from their bike and suffered multiple fractures.

Molly Cahill hit run crash Sydney committed
The Sydney hit-run crash scene (All images: Channel 7 Sydney)

Driver fled

Cahill fled the scene, abandoned her car nearby and texted “I think I’ve hit someone”.

She was later arrested at her Sans Souci home and taken to Kogarah Police Station.

Since her first court appearance she has also been found guilty of drug and assault charges and was placed on an 18-month community order, ending in September 2021.

(Apologies for this late article due to my clerical error that listed the sentencing date as 20 July.)

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Officer dies in motorcycle crash with ute

A utility driver who allegedly ran a red light and hit a motorcycle killing the rider, a police officer riding home from duty yesterday (18 June 2020), appeared in a Sydney court today.

Tommy Balla, 37, of The Ponds, has been charged with dangerous driving occasioning death and negligent driving occasioning death.

The rider was Constable Aaron Vidal, 28, who was travelling home to Bligh Park after completing his duties at Sydney City Police Area Command.

NSW Police say the crash occurred at the intersection of Windsor and Schofields Roads, Rouse Hill, just before 5.45pm.

Paramedics found Aaron critically injured and started CPR, but sadly he died at the scene.

Balla was uninjured and taken to Westmead Hospital for mandatory testing.

He was later charged, refused bail overnight and appeared in Blacktown Local Court today where police alleged Balla drove through a red light.

The matter was adjourned to 14 August 2020 with Balla released on conditional bail.

NSW Police issued this statement about the officer:nsw cops police Horror bike crashes in two states lying seeking dubbo overnight bail negligent SUV young national park fatal knocking unlicensed guilty stolen

Constable Vidal attested as part of class ‘332’ on Friday 8 December 2017, after which he commenced duties as a probationary constable at Sydney City. He was confirmed as a constable in December 2018.

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller has extended his condolences to the Vidal family on behalf of the NSW Police Force.

“My thoughts are with Aaron’s family and fiancée, as well as his current and former colleagues at this difficult time,” Commissioner Fuller said.

“Aaron was one of six siblings and worked alongside his father, Chief Inspector David Vidal, at Sydney City.

“Dave has always been incredibly proud of his son following in his footsteps and walking the beat side-by-side with him.

“He spent his entire policing career at Sydney City Police Area Command, where he has been part of the Proactive Crime Team since late last year, targeting crimes that directly impact the community.

“On two occasions he had been formally recognised for good police work by members of the community, which shows that he was held in high regard by not only his peers, but the community he served.

“Prior to joining the police force, Aaron served in the Australian Army, which further demonstrates his commitment to serving and protecting the community,” Commissioner Fuller said.

Constable Vidal’s family has requested privacy at this time.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Trial set for red light bike crash

Almost a year to the day after allegedly running a red light, and hitting and injuring a 63-year-old male motorcyclist, the driver of a Nissan utility will face a trial in the Parramatta Local Court.

Driver Daniel Marjoribanks was charged after the crash at the intersection of Schofields and Windsor roads, Rouse Hill, on 12 September 2019.

Last week he appeared for the eighth time in Parramatta Local Court where the matter was re-listed for a hearing on 11 September 2020.

Police say the Nissan utility was travelling south on Windsor Road, Rouse Hill, about 9.30pm when it approached the intersection of Schofields Road and was faced with a red right turn arrow.

“The driver allegedly turned right against the red arrow and struck a motorcycle which was being ridden north through the intersection,” police will allege.

The rider suffered multiple compound fractures to his right leg and fractured ribs.

Marjoribanks was charged with:

  • Dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm;
  • Negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm;
  • Fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing grievous bodily harm;
  • Fail to stop and assist after impact cause injury;
  • Drive when visiting privileges withdrawn – first offence; and
  • Not give particulars to injured person.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Driver charged after 2019 fatal bike crash

A 57-year-old male driver has been charged after a fatal collision between his Toyota Yaris and a motorcycle in Queanbeyan, NSW, last December.

The collision occurred about 3.20pm on Monday 23 December 2019 in McCrae Street, near Lanyon Drive.

The 74-year-old male rider was taken to Queanbeyan Hospital with face, chest and leg injuries.

He died in hospital on Wednesday 1 January 2020.

The Yaris driver was not injured in the collision and was taken to Queanbeyan Hospital for mandatory testing.

Officers from the Crash Investigation Unit commenced an investigation.

Last Sunday, (31 May 2020), the driver, from Kambah, ACT, attended Queanbeyan Police Station where he was issued with a Court Attendance Notice for negligent driving (occasioning death).

He is due to appear at Queanbeyan Local Court on Monday 24 August 2020.

The penalties in NSW for negligent driving causing death on a first offence are:

Maximum fine $3300
Minimum disqualification 12 months
Automatic disqualification 3 years
Maximum prison sentence 18 months

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Driver guilty of hit-run scooter crash

A 55-year-old Toyota Hi-Lux driver who hit and injured a woman, 34, riding a Vespa scooter last August before driving off has been found guilty in a Sydney court today.

Paul Andrew Brown faced a hearing in Burwood Local Court today (27 May 2020) on charges of failing to stop and render aid, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, and not exchanging particulars.

The collision occurred at the intersection of Wellbank and Spring streets, in Concord, about 7.45pm on 14 August 2019.

Police told the court the driver of the utility failed to stop to render assistance to the rider and continued to drive north on Spring Street.

The scooter rider, a 34-year-old woman, suffered serious injuries and was taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

Crash Investigation Unit officers found the ute parked in North Strathfield about 2.30pm the next day.

After a short foot pursuit, police arrested Brown and took him to Burwood Police Station were he was charged.

Guilty

Brown has been in and out of court since and was today found guilty. He will front court again on 15 July 2020 for sentencing.

The incident follows a worrying spate of hit-and-run crashes leaving riders injured and dead.

In NSW, the requirement for those involved in a crash to remain at the scene until police arrive was dropped in 2014, even if a tow truck is required.

However, the motorists must report the incident to police and remain at the scene if anyone is injured.

If they don’t, police can charge a motorist with failing to stop at the scene of an accident which is considered a serious offence.

Depending on whether someone is injured or killed in the crash, the motorist responsible could face serious charges with up to 10 years in jail.

Police say motorists leaving an accident scene where someone is injured decrease a victim’s chance of survival.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Drivers face court over bike crashes

Two NSW drivers have appeared in court over separate crashes last year that injured two riders and a pillion.

Court case 1

Molly Cahill, 23, of Sans Souci, was found guilty in Sutherland Local Court today (26 May 2020) and will be sentenced on 2 July 2020 on dangerous driving charges relating to a crash last year.

Police told court Cahill was driving a Peugeot hatchback on the wrong side of Forest Road in Peakhurst about 1.20am on 8 April 2019 when she hit a motorcycle head-on.

Rider Tony Nissirios, 38, and his female partner Sam, 26, were thrown from their bike and suffered multiple fractures.

Molly Cahill hit run crash Sydney committedThe Sydney hit-run crash scene (All images: Channel 7 Sydney)

Cahill left the scene, abandoned her car nearby and texted “I think I’ve hit someone”.

She was later arrested at her Sans Souci home and taken to Kogarah Police Station.

Since her first court appearance she has also been found guilty of drug and assault charges and is currently serving an 18 month community order, ending in September 2021.

Molly Cahill hit run crash Sydney committedMolly Chaill

Court case 2

Liverpool driver Shaokun Zhu, 30, appeared in Liverpool Local Court today for a committal hearing set down for three days after allegedly driving through a give way sign and hitting a motorcyclist in Sydney’s west on 30 October 2019.

However, the hearing has been adjourned until 23 June 2020 with conditional bail continued.

NSW Police allege he was driving a Volkswagen Passat west along Cabramatta Road West when he went through a give way sign without stopping.

His VW hit a motorcycle being ridden by a 28-year-old man who was thrown from the bike.

The rider suffered significant injuries including a fractured shoulder, pelvis and hip, as well as serious cuts and abrasions.

The scene was examined by officers from the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit.

Shaokun Zhu was arrested and charged with dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.

His licence was suspended, and he was given conditional bail.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com