Truck driver accused of causing horror crash with a bus packed with schoolchildren learns his fate
A truck driver was not driving dangerously when he rammed into the back of a school bus, seriously injuring seven children, a jury has found.
Jamie Gleeson was found not guilty of seven counts of dangerous driving causing serious injury by a jury in the County Court of Victoria on Wednesday.
Gleeson was accused of failing to maintain a proper distance from the bus or paying significant attention before crashing into the back of the vehicle at at Eynesbury in Melbourne 's west on May 16, 2023.
Of the 46 students on board, seven were seriously injured in the crash that occurred less than 1km from Exford Primary School.
Gleeson, 50, denied the allegations and maintained that he was not driving dangerously.
He told police he did not see the brake lights or indicator of the bus until the last second and it appeared as if the bus had forgotten to turn.
Bus driver Graham Stanley previously told the court he began tapping on the brake pedal, activating the retarder system, about 100m before the crash.
He was unaware if the brake lights remained on throughout the entire slowing down period but maintained his right turn indicator was also on at the same time.
Gleeson's truck hit the back of the turning bus, causing the vehicle to spin and roll on its side.
The jury was told the truck skidded for about 25m before the collision and was going 67km/h at the point of impact.
A later assessment of the truck found its brakes were faulty, although Gleeson was unaware of the issues and the truck had been regularly serviced.
Gleeson did not have any drugs or alcohol in his system at the time of the crash and there was no evidence of speeding or that he used his phone before the collision.
In a statement, a representative from Mr Gleeson's legal team said the driver still feels the impact of the crash.
'Mr Gleeson remains completely shattered by the incident that occurred and his involvement in it, he feels immensely for the children involved and their families,' they said.
'He explained how the collision occurred to the police the morning following and he is grateful to the jury for their consideration and attention in determining his case.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
23 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Aussies react to shock arrest video of young Aboriginal woman in tiny town
Aussies have questioned the use of force used by officers during the arrest of a young Aboriginal woman in Western Australia. Officers detained the 25-year-old woman from Millars Well, a town about 540km northeast of Exmouth, after she allegedly breached bail conditions on Monday. Footage of the arrest, shared on Facebook, shows the woman screaming as she is pulled from a car, handcuffed on the ground and carried by two officers to a van. As a crowd gathered outside the home, a female officer was seen gesturing with a can of pepper spray to try and stop them from approaching. Another police vehicle with more officers arrived as the woman was put in the van. At least two male officers could then be seen approaching the group and pushing them away from the police van. Shocked viewers questioned the officers' use of force in the comments. 'I legit got tears. This is very triggering,' one person wrote. 'There was no need for this kind of force,' a second said. 'If they don't know how to work with mob, why don't they talk to the elders in community and get help,' a third commented. 'This town is not far from where I live,' a fourth added. 'This behaviour by police is so unnecessary!' The woman was not injured during the arrest and no medical assistance was required, WA Police told Daily Mail Australia in a statement. The woman was arrested for allegedly breaching her bail conditions by being at a home in Millars Well. 'It will be alleged as the woman was being arrested, she obstructed police, locking herself in a vehicle,' police said in a statement. Officers were called to the home about 10:30am on Monday after an alleged physical altercation between people known to each other. Police had responded to an incident at the same location earlier that day. WA Police declined to comment on the way officers handled the incident. The woman has since been charged with one count each of obstructing public officers, common assault in circumstances of aggravation or racial aggravation and possessing a prohibited drug, methylamphetamine. She appeared in court on Monday and is next due to appear before the Karratha Magistrates Court on July 29. The arrest video came just days after the shocking death of an Indigenous man Kumanjayi White at a supermarket in Alice Springs on May 27. NT Police last week said White 'stopped breathing' after he was restrained by two officers and confirmed the death is being investigated on behalf of the coroner. It is the second death to rock the small Yuendumu community and comes six years after Kumanjayi Walker was shot dead by NT Police officer Zachary Rolfe.
Daily Mail
44 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Australia's most notorious killer is now so overweight he needs three mattresses to sleep on - as details emerge about his pen pal girlfriend
Australia's worst mass murderer, Martin Bryant, is now so overweight he reportedly needs to sleep on three mattresses stacked on top of each other. The 58-year-old also spends his time in Risdon Prison Complex boasting to inmates about a supposed long-distance romance with a woman he calls his 'girlfriend'. Byrant is serving 35 life sentences over the 1996 Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania. In new details obtained exclusively by the Daily Telegraph, it was revealed Bryant is considered 'lower than zero' on the food chain by his fellow inmates. Former inmate Jackson, who was cell neighbours with Bryant, gave a bleak account of his condition behind bars, describing him as untidy, dirty and suffering from acne. The mass murderer is reportedly now so large he sleeps on three 10cm thick mattresses stacked on top of each other in his tiny cell bed, which he rarely leaves. Most bizarrely, Jackson revealed Bryant had a reputation for previously giving sexual favours, in return for chocolates and sweets. 'He's had a few sexual experiences in jail so someone will tease him and go "How about you swap me a head job for a Mars Bar" with such and such,' he said. Jackson recalled the moment he finally summoned the courage to ask Bryant about the Port Arthur massacre, saying the killer's face immediately shifted. He added that he wasn't sure Bryant's mother still visited him but that the killer would speak frequently about a woman he claimed to be in a relationship with. The woman, said to own a horse property in Victoria, was one of 10 people approved by the jail service to have phone calls with Bryant. Jackson said he wasn't sure if the woman ever visited Bryant in jail but that he had once been shown a photo of her by the notorious killer. Former prison guard Tony Burley told the Daily Telegraph he had caught the murderer fixating on himself and other guards with an intense stare. He said this only added to his reputation as an odd and isolated figure. 'In terms of the food chain, he's lower than zero,' Mr Burley said. 'It's not that people don't like him, he just doesn't exist.' 'No one would know who he was, he's not a concern to anybody. He's not targeted, he's nobody.' The Port Arthur massacre remains one of the darkest days in Australia's history. At the time, it was considered the world's worst massacre, with 35 people killed and 23 injured by Martin Byrant, who is serving 35 life sentences and more than a thousand additional years' jail without parole. Bryant has never explained his actions but investigators have speculated the murders were sparked out of retribution for grievances. Others were collateral damage. The shooting prompted significant gun reform under then-prime minister John Howard via the 1996 National Firearms Agreement. The laws banned rapid-fire guns from civilian ownership except under certain, restricted licences. It also tightened requirements for firearms licensing, registration and safe storage and established a government buyback of semi-automatic and pump-action rifles and shotguns.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Police prevent suspected terror attack on King's guards in ‘huge security scare'
Following the man's arrest military personnel at a barracks near Windsor Castle in Windsor, Berkshire were reportedly warned not to leave the grounds in uniform Police have reportedly prevented a suspected terror attack on soldiers protecting King Charles after arresting a man and discovering his alleged plan while he was in custody being questioned on seperate offences. Following the man's arrest military personnel at a barracks near Windsor Castle in Windsor, Berkshire were reportedly warned not to leave the grounds in uniform. The alert remained in place for two days at Victoria Barracks, home to the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards. A source told The Sun: 'The suspect is feared to have been plotting an attack. Police informed bosses at the barracks and measures were taken immediately despite him already being in custody. It was a huge security scare. But it was in the interests of everyone's safety.' According to the Sun Thames Valley Police first arrested the man in Slough, Berkshire, last week on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and arson at the nearby Salt Hill Activity Centre. However, while he was in custody on Sunday June, 1 police re-arrested him on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts. It is believed the investigation is now being led by Counter Terrorism Policing South East. The suspect is believed to be a 'lone actor' and no other arrests have been made. The alleged incident has understandably caused some concern among local residents so police have steppd up patrols to reassure the public. Police have not yet named, or released any further details about, the 20-year-old man arrested on suspicion of the suspected terror attack. Windsor Barracks, specifically Victoria Barracks and Combermere Barracks, have a rich history intertwined with military service and the royal family. Victoria Barracks was originally built for the Foot Guards and has seen various expansions and changes over time. Today, it's home to the Household Cavalry and is the starting point for the Changing the Guard procession at Windsor Castle. The barracks are located 0.25 miles (0.40 km) south of Windsor Castle. Windsor Castle, the world 's largest and oldest occupied castle, is open on set days throughout the year. As a working royal palace, it is used frequently by The Sovereign for State ceremonies and official entertaining, and closures can occasionally occur at short notice. The presence of the monarch at Windsor Castle is signified by the Royal Standard flag flying majestically from the Round Tower. This is a tradition that continued from Victoria's time. Although Queen Victoria is long gone, this practice is a direct nod to her reign and the customs she helped establish. Earlier this week an intruder sparked a royal security scare after they allegedly broke into the grounds of Windsor Castle. The man is said to have climbed over the wall to get in the castle grounds on Sunday before he was quickly detained by officers from the Metropolitan Police, which is responsible for security at the royal residence. A man in his 30s was then handed over to the local police force, Thames Valley, before being arrested on suspicion of trespass and possession of a Class A drug. The Ministry of Defence and Counter Terrorism Policing South East have both been approached for comment.
