Paul Andrew Brown was found guilty in May at a hearing in Burwood Local Court on charges of failing to stop and render aid, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, and not exchanging particulars.
This hit-and-run crash on an LA freeway is shocking, but also amazing as the rider received only minor injuries.
It was recorded by driver Will Panda on his mobile phone about 7pm on Friday (19 June 2020).
“I saw a van coming up behind us with sparks flying and then we caught this passing us by,” he says on his YouTube channel where he posted the video.
“A hit and run driver in Corona smashed into a motorcycle, pinning it under his bumper and dragging it off the highway. We doubled back to see if we could find him but he had run his car into a fence and presumably took off running.
“It looked straight out of a movie, we could not believe it, we hope the motorcyclist is okay!”
According to CBS Los Angeles, the rider is ok, but has complained about pain to his arms and legs.
They report that the driver has not yet been taken into custody or charged.
The wrecked bike is finally dislodged
Hit and run crashes
We have reported on many hit-and-run crashes involving motorcycles over the years.
It seems drivers think they can get away with hitting a motorcycle and doing a runner.
There can be several reasons for this, mainly the fact that a crash wth a motorcycle tends to have minimal impact on a four-wheeled vehicle so it is capable of driving off.
The fact that the bike and rider may be incapacitated also means they are unlikely to be able to give chase.
But we also wonder if there is a growing callous disregard for the health and safety of riders.
Do they view us as having a death wish?
Hit-and-run drivers face heftier penalties if caught, including lengthy jail time, depending on the jurisdiction.
However, they are only charged with leaving the scene of an accident if there is a death, injury, or a tow truck is required and the incident is reported to police.
Not only do drivers face tougher penalties for leaving the scene of an accident where someone is injured, but it also decreases a victim’s chance of survival.
Three drivers appeared in NSW courts this week on charges related to leaving the scenes of crashes that injured two motorcyclists, a pillion and a scooter rider.
One of the drivers remains in jail, the other two are on strict bail conditions.
The accidents happened in April, August and September and the appearances in NSW courts resulted in the matters again being deferred several weeks.
Hit-run 1
Molly Chaill
In the first incident in April 2019, Molly Cahill, 22, of Sans Souci, was committed to stand trial after driving her car on the wrong side of the road and crashing into a motorcycle, injuring rider Tony Nissirios, 38, and his female pillion, Sam, 26.
She faces two charges of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, failing to stop and render assistance after impact and not keeping left of a dividing line.
Her original bail conditions of a strict curfew, passport confiscation and daily reports to police were expanded when she last appeared.
She has also been ordered not to enter any international points departure, live at a specific address, not take any drugs or alcohol unless prescribed by a doctor and not occupy the driver’s seat of any vehicle.
Her hearing was this week adjourned in Sutherland Local Court to now be heard on October 31 at Sydney Downing Centre in Liverpool St.
Hit-run 2
Paul Andrew Brown, 55, remains in jail after appearing in Burwood Local Court this week over charges of failing to stop after colliding with a Vespa scooter rider in Sydney in August.
The Toyota Hilux ute driver was charged with failing to stop and render aid, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, and not exchange particulars.
The rider of the scooter, a 34-year-old woman, suffered serious injuries.
Officers from the Crash Investigation Unit found Brown’s ute parked in North Strathfield about 2.30pm the day after the crash.
After a short foot pursuit, police arrested Brown and took him to Burwood Police Station where he was refused bail.
Brown has now faced Burwood Local Court twice and the matter has been adjourned to November 5 with bail again refused.
Hit-run 3
Intersection of Schofields and Windsor roads, Rouse Hill,(Image: Google Maps)
In September, SUV driver Daniel Marjoribanks was charged after allegedly running a red light and hitting a rider at the intersection of Schofields and Windsor roads, Rouse Hill.
“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 motorcyclist, a 63-year-old man, suffered multiple compound fractures to his right leg and fractured ribs.
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.
He was granted bail and appeared again in Blacktown Local Court yesterday where the matter was adjourned for mention on November 22.
Spate of hit-and-runs in courts
Our courts seem to be busy with this worrying spate of hit-and-run crashes leaving motorcyclists injured and dead.
We will continue to follow up on these hit-run incidents, as well as the matter of unlicensed British driver Graham Belcher who has been remanded in custody after an incident last month in which one rider died and another was injured.
Graham Belcher
Belcher, 52, was arrested at Brisbane International Airport as he was about to board a flight to Hong Kong.
He appeared in Tweed Heads Local Court charged with an outstanding warrant, as well as:
dangerous driving occasioning death – drive manner dangerous;
fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing death;
negligent driving (occasioning death);
cause bodily harm by misconduct in charge of motor vehicle;
drive while licence cancelled;
not give way to vehicle (give way sign/line); and
driver fails/refuses to disclose his identity.
Bail was refused and he was remanded in custody until November 20.
Scott Rose, wife Tenniel and his children Lacey and Nash fundraiser
A fundraiser page has been started to raise money for the family of rider Scott Rose, 39, who sadly died in the collision.
Usually motorcycle riders are the victims in hit and run accidents but one trail biker is giving us a bad name after hitting a 77-year-old pedestrian and fleeing the scene.
Queensland Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident in Kin Kora, near Gladstone, around 5pm on 31 August 2019.
The local man was walking along the pathway that runs between Emmadale Drive and the soccer field at the end of Pioneer Drive when he was struck by a blue trail bike as it sped past him.
“The man fell to the ground while the rider of the bike failed to stop and render assistance,” police say.
The man was transported to Gladstone Hospital and treated for his injuries, then later discharged.
Sadly, the man passed away on Tuesday (September 10).
Police investigations
Police investigations are continuing to determine whether or not the incident contributed to the man’s death and the matter has been referred to the Coroner.
Gladstone Police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who have seen a blue trail bike in that particular area at any time to come forward.
Police believe the trail bike has been seen in the area several times in the past, particularly along the roadway that leads from the end of Pioneer Drive to the soccer field.
The rider is described as wearing a dark coloured helmet with dark goggles.
Anyone who may know the rider of the bike is also urged to contact police.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24 hours a day.
You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.
Molly Cahill, 22, of Sans Souci appeared in Sutherland Local Court today. She was committed to stand trial on June 18 on two charges of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, failing to stop and render assistance after impact and not keeping left of a dividing line.
The crash scene (All images: Channel 7 Sydney)
Her bail conditions of a strict curfew, passport confiscation and daily reports to police were continued.
The injured rider is Tony Nissirios, 38, and his injured pillion is his female partner Sam, 26. They were transported to St George Hospital.
Tony suffered multiple leg fractures and Sam had a broken wrist. Their current conditions are not confirmed at this stage but it was feared Tony would need his leg amputated.
Committed driver bailed
Police will allege Cahill was driving a Peugeot hatchback on the wrong side of Forest Road in Peakhurst about 1.20am (Monday 8 April 2019) when she hit the motorcycle head-on.
The rider and pillion were thrown from the bike and suffered multiple fractures.
Police will allege the driver left the scene, dumped 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. She was granted bail the following day in Sutherland Local Court.
This spate of hit-run incidents raises the prospect that motorists are viewing riders not as vulnerable road users, but as “temporary Australians” with a death wish.
It could be a direct result of the recent bad press about the high rate of motorcycle fatalities in the state, currently at 20.
Sadly there have been no arrests so far in any of these four hit-run incidents.
Anyone with information about any of these incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Brunswick hit-run
In the Brunswick incident, a woman driving an unregistered dark green Ford Falcon station wagon callously sped away from the scene.
The incident occurred at 3.30pm on yesterday (19 March 2019) at the corner of Sydney Rd and Cozens St.
The 31-year-old Mickelham man was treated at paramedics at the scene, before being taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with minor injuries.
He was later released from hospital.
No arrests have been made at this stage and the investigation is ongoing.
In CCT video, the driver turns across in front of the rider, hitting the bike, then stopping momentarily before driving off.
The driver stops and looks at the injured rider before driving off
The female driver is described as Caucasian in appearance, wearing purple sunglasses, with a medium build and aged in her mid-20s.
St Kilda West hit-run
A KTM rider has suffered serious injuries in a hit-run incident in St Kilda West on Monday night.
Police have been told the rider was travelling south-east along Park Street about 6pm.
A white sedan was parked on Park St near the intersection of Mary St when the car pulled out of the parking spot and hit the motorcycle.
The rider was thrown from the motorcycle and the white sedan fled the scene, west along Park Street.
The male rider, a 20-year-old Hampton man, received serious leg injuries and was taken to hospital.
St Kilda police are investigating and are keen to speak to any witnesses or anyone in the area at the time with dash-cam footage.
Do you believe this spate of hit-run crashes is due to a lack of driver concern for motorcyclists? Leave your comments below.
Witnesses are being sought after a 2004 blue Honda Accord sedan merged into a lane with a 2012 blue Harley-Davidson causing it to crash on the Logan Motorway at Springwood last Wednesday (November 7, 2018).
Forensic Crash Unit investigators have released this video as part of an appeal for information.
The crash happened about 4.50pm on the Logan Road on-ramp, towards the southbound lanes of the Pacific Motorway.
A 55-year-old Harley rider was hit when the Accord to merged into his lane. He remains in the Princess Alexandra Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
A 21-year-old Woodridge man “continues to assist with the investigation”.
The driver did not pull up after the Harley crashed at the side of the road.
However, a second motorcyclist pulled the driver over for a short conversation before riding on.
Police now want to speak with the second motorcyclist to continue investigations into the crash, or any other witnesses, particularly those with dash cam footage.
Eye witnesses can contact Policelink on 131 444, fill out the online form 24hrs per day, or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au.
Spate of hit-run incidents
