Latest news with #BartMoore
ABC News
19-06-2025
- ABC News
Bart Moore avoids jail over Riverina crash that killed Serina Drury and Craig Day
A young driver has avoided jail after admitting he was responsible for a high-speed crash that killed two people near the NSW-Victoria border. Serina Drury, 55, and her passenger, Craig Day, 54, both of Tocumwal, died when a Ford Ranger driven by a teenager failed to give way at a country intersection and ploughed into their Toyota Hilux in July. Jerilderie teen Bart Moore, 19 at the time, was on Thursday sentenced in Albury District Court to a three-year intensive corrections order to be served in the community. He pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous driving occasioning death in March. Taking the witness stand on Thursday, Moore said he was "gutted" by the deadly Tocumwal crash. Defence counsel Michael Davies reminded Moore of previous comments he had made about the crash and his response to it. "I've taken two people away for no reason because of my f*** up," Mr Davies said, quoting Moore. In closing submissions, Mr Davies told the court Moore's actions were the result of momentary inattention as he approached the Racecourse Road and Murray Street intersection, driving past give-way signs on the 80km/h road. "It's a matter of seconds, in my submission, your honour." He said Moore's immaturity reduced his moral culpability and noted his client had no criminal record and was of good character. The defence asked Judge Jennifer English to consider an intensive corrections order of not more than three years to be served in the community. However, the prosecution called for a prison sentence. Crown prosecutor Virginia Morgan said the actions of Moore were "more than momentary inattention". "The accused had a straight lead-in to the intersection, with give-way signs clearly visible facing him, and he failed to slow down sufficiently to have a proper look and thereby avoid a collision," she said. Under questioning by Ms Morgan, Moore admitted he didn't slow down enough to look properly at the crash intersection because he frequently drove through it and was "comfortable" with it. "I've never seen a car there and thought I could always go through it without slowing down enough," he told the court. Ms Morgan conceded Moore did not have a "terrible" driving record, but had received tickets for driving offences. Moore received his P1 licence in early 2023 and, under cross-examination by Ms Morgan, told the court he was caught travelling at 30kms above the speed limit in Victorian town Cobram months later. The court heard he was also caught driving through a give-way sign in February last year in Finley. Judge English found the Tocumwal crash was the result of "slightly more than momentary inattention" by Moore and he failed to look properly when he approached the intersection. The judge said custodial sentences could have significant, damaging consequences on vulnerable young offenders and Moore's actions did not warrant full-time custody. She found Moore was genuinely remorseful and contrite. Judge English also noted he had mental health issues, but said these were "not causative of this accident". As well as the community corrections order, Moore was disqualified from driving for three years.
ABC News
23-05-2025
- ABC News
Court hears families 'broken' from Tocumwal crash that claimed couple's lives
The family of a man killed with his partner in a southern New South Wales car crash says the tragedy could have been avoided. Driver Serina Drury, 55, and passenger Craig Day, 54, both of Tocumwal, died at Tocumwal's Racecourse Road and Murray Street intersection when their Toyota Hilux and a Ford Ranger collided in July last year. Jerilderie man Bart Moore, who was 19 at the time of the crash, pleaded guilty in March to two counts of dangerous driving occasioning death. Moore, who was supported in the Albury District Court by a group of people, cried as Mr Day's relatives described how their family had been "broken" by the deaths and would "never recover". He remains on bail. Sentencing will be finalised in the Albury District Court in June. Mr Day's sister, Tammy Day, said in her victim impact statement she had visited the intersection where the fatal crash occurred and had become familiar with it. "This accident could have been avoided if care had have been taken by the driver before the court," she said. Mr Day's mother, Joy Day, echoed the sentiment in her victim impact statement, which was read by a legal representative — she also felt the crash could have been avoided. "There is no justice that can bring Craig and Serina back, but I hope that the court can recognise this loss and devastating impact it has had on so many people," the statement read. The court heard Mr Day had been a gentle man, an avid lover of trucks, and had adored Ms Drury. His sister, Sherryn Ferguson, tearfully described in her victim impact statement that she had taken on the task of identifying his body, and was shocked by the extent of his traumatic injuries. "He didn't have a chance," she said. Ms Ferguson said the subsequent legal process had robbed her of the chance to hold his hand in death, as he was treated as evidence. "There is no dignity in dying as a coroner's case," she said. Victim impact statements from the Drury family were also tendered to the court.
